Newspaper Page Text
II" If 1ti1ir w
cra t-Stej&'irs'Br-si
"&o raw fry Itim ivlx0 te torus ito Iraiilc, Hurt fot tu nitlour nua 0rpta&"
ESTABLISHED 1877.-NEW SERIES.
Washington, d. a, Thursday, January is, isss.
YOL. E-ffO. 23 -WHOLE NO. 7o.
Mjr
GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN
Repulse of Hood's Division at Hound
Top,
ON CULP'S HILL.
Defeat of Johnson by the
Twelfth Corps.
ASSAULT ON THE CENTRE.
Tarriflo Cannonading Followed
by Pickett's Charge.
chapteb vni.
Allusion has already been mado to tho action
of tho Pennsylvania Beserves on the 2d day of
July.
General S. W. Crawford, commanding tho
Third division, Fifth Army Corps, gives the
following interesting description of tho opera
tions of his command on that occasion. After
referring to tho order of General Sykcs to
move to the left, ho says: "I received orders
at once to mass my troop3 upon the right of a
road running through our lino near our left
flank, and which, descending a rocky slope,
crossed a low marshy ground in front to a
wheat field lying between two thick belts of
woods beyond. The position occupied by our
troops on the left was naturally a strong one.
A rocky ridge, wooded at tho top, extended
along the left of our position, ending in a high
hill, called the Bound Top, whose sides, cov
ered with timber, terminated abruptly in the
plain below, while the entiro ridgo sloped to
wards a small stream that traversed tho marshy
ground in front. Beyond this lay two thick
masses of timber separated by a wheat field,
and skirting this timber a low stone-wall ran
from right to left. The movement indicated
had not been completed when I received an or-
21up oj Utc Vicm
der to cross tho road to the slope of the rocky
ridge opposite the woods, and to cover the
troops then engaged in front should it become
necessary for them to fall back. In carrying
out this order, I received instructions to de
tach ono brigade of my command to go to tho
left of Barnes' division on the crest of the ridge.
The Third brigade, under Colonel J. W. Fisher,
was detailed and moved at once. The firing
In front was heavy and incessant. The enemy
concentrating his forces opposite the left of our
lino was throwing them in heavy masses upon
our troops and was steadily advancing. Our
troo in front, after a determined resistance,
unable to withstand the force of tho enemy, fell
back and some finally gave way. The plain in
xny front was covered with fugitives from all
divisions, who rushed through my lines and
along the road to tho rear. Fragments of regi
ments came back in disorder and without their
arms, and for a moment all seemed lost. Tho
enemy's skirmishers had reached the foot of
the rocky ridge and his columns were following
rapidly. My command was formed in two
lines, the second massed on tho first. Tho
First regiment, Colonel Talley, on tho left; the
Bixth, Lieutenant Colonel Ent, on tho right;
tho Eleventh, Colonel Jackson, in tho center.
Tho second lino consisted of tho First Bides,
(Bucktails,) Colonel Taylor, and the Second
regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Woodward. Colo
nel McCaudless, tho brigade commander, com
manded the whole. Kot a moment was to bo
lost. Uncovering our front I ordered an imme
diate advance. Tho command advanced gal
lantly with loud cheers. Two well-directed vol
leys were delivered upon tho advancing masses
of the enemy, when tho whole column charged
at a run down the blope, driving the enemy
back across the space beyond and across tho
Etone-wall, for the possession of which thero
was a short but determined struggle. The en
emy retired to the wheat field and tho woods.
THE PENNSYLVANIA UUCKTAILS.
"The second line was immediately deployed
to the left, tho ' Bucktails,' under their gal
lant leader, Colonel Taylor, gaining tho flank,
and dashing upon tho enemy, who, endeavor
ing for a moment to make a stand, finally broke
snd flod in disorder across the field, leaving his
dead and wounded in our hands. As night was
tproaching and my flanks were unprotected,
I directed Colonel McCaudless to hold the line
of the sumc-wall and the woods on our right.
Heavy lines of skirmishers wero thrown out
and the ground firmly and permanently held.
I thea rodo to the left towards Fisher's brigado.
v7 x
V ' -Hi- $
V fclSNl Wr$ Jfi&f'W-
. MI JMrpncDr3:n HL U
iL? V fe hSeale ofTfllcs
A Ki 1 1 r-M i I ' 1
Upon ascending the crest of the ridge I fonnd,
from tho report of that officer, as well as from
Colonel Rico, of Barnes' division, that tho
Bound Top was still in possession of tho ene
my's skirmishers, who were firing upon our
men. It was important to hold this hill, as,
from its position, it commanded that part of
our line. Idiiected Colonel Fisher to occupy
it at once. Ho immediately detached the
Twelfth regiment under Colonel Hardin, tho
Fifth under Lieutenant-Colonel Dare, and tho
Twentieth Maine under Colonel Chamberlain,
who advanced promptly, driving tho enemy
beforo them, and capturing over thirty pris
oners." General Barnes claims this movement to
have been mado by the Twentieth Maine beforo
the arrival of Colonel Fisher. After recounting
tho Bplcndid repulse of Hood at Littlo Bound
Top, tho death of Vincent, and tho mainte
nance of that position by his brigado under
command of his successor, Colonel Bice, Gen
eral Barnes says :
"It was now nearly dark. A portion of the
enemy appeared to have occupied tho sum
mit of tho rocky hill to tho left. Tho men of
this brave regiment, (tho Twentieth Maine,)
exhausted by their labors, had thrown them
selves upon the ground, and many sunk at
once to sleep. Colonel Bice, now in command
of tho brigade, directed Colonel Chamberlain
to drive the enemy from this height. Tho order
was at once given. Boused again to action,
and, advancing with fixed bayonets and with
out firing, lest tho smallness of their numbers
might bo suspected, they rushed up tho hill.
Twenty-five more prisoners, including some
staff officers, wero added to tho number pre
viously taken, with a loss to the regiment of
one officer mortally wounded and ono mail
taken prisoner by tho enemy.
" It was ascertained that theso troops occu
pying the hill had been sent from Hood's divis
ion, which was then massed a few hundred
yards distant, and that their object was to ro
connoitro the position as a preliminary to tak
ing possession of tho height. In addition to
tho prisoners above mentioned as taken by this
regiment, 300 stands of arms were also captured
by them. It is duo to this regiment and its
commander that their Eoryico should thus bo
recorded in detail.
My of Gettyibttrg.
"Upon receiving a rc-cnforcement of fivo
regiments of tho Third division, under com
mand of Colonel Fisher, Colonel Bice detached
two of thorn to tho aid of Colonel Chamberlain,
iu order to maintain tho position lie had gained,
and ho was thus enabled to hold it. The enemy
having been repelled upon every point of attack,
and night coming on, withdrew from the con
flict." THE SIXTH COUPS TAKES A ItAND.
After a march of over thirty miles, the Sixth
Corps, under command of Major-General Sedg
wick, reached the battle-field on tho afternoon
of tho 2d of July, in timo for Wheatou's and
Eustis' brigades of tho Third division and
Bartlett's of the First division to take part in
the repulse of Longstreet's attack on tho left.
Bussell's and Torbert's brigades of tho First
division wero. held in reserve that night.
Neill's brigado of the Second division was sent
to the right of the line, reporting to General
Slocum, and Grant's brigado of tho same divi
sion was posted on tho extreme left of tho
general line. Shaler's brigado of the Third
division was held in reserve near the left centre.
Tho'artillery of tho corps was placed under the
orders of the chief of artillery ofthe army.
On tho following day tho brigades of tho Sixth
Corps were moved to various points as occasion
demanded, but, with the exception of the even
ing of July 2d, they wero at no time seriously
engaged.
General Wright, commanding tho First divi
sion, thus refers to the forced inarch and tio
fight on tho left: "Without halting, except for
a few moments each hour to breathe tho men
and ono halt of about half an hour to enable
them to make coffee, tho corps was pushed on
to Gettysburg, where it arrived about -1 p. m.,
after a march variously estimated at from
thirty-two to thirty-five miles.
"The corps here halted for about two hours,
when orders came for it to move up with all
dispatch and support tho Second, Third aud
Fifth Corps, then actively engaged on tho left
of the line. On our arrival a portion of our
line was falling back beforo tho determined
attack of the enemy's columns, and tho Third
division and the Second brigade of my division
Avero promptly moved into position, while my
First and Thiid brigades were held iu reserve.
This timely arrival of re-enforcements, with
tho determined resistance made by the troops
already in position, and which had borne with
such heroic valor and so severe loss tho brunt
of tho battle, forced tho enemy to retreat, and
put an end to the contest of July 2d."
THE TWELFTH COUPS ON THE LEFT.
It will bo understood that tho position of tho
Fifth Corps, General Sykcs, on the morning of
tho 2d of July, was in rear and in reserve,
within supporting distanco of either flank of
tho Union army. The Confederate attack fall
ing upon tho left flank (General Sickles corps),
caused tho movement of tho Fifth Corps to its
support, as detailed in the preceding chapter.
General Bugcr's (tho First) division of the
Twelfth Corps on tho extreme right of tho
Union line, with its right resting on Bock
Creek, joined tho left of tho Fifth Corps.
As soon as the attack commenced on tho left
and Sykes' corps had moved in that direction,
Bugcr's division and two brigades of the Sec
ond division of the Twelfth Corps wero ordered
to that portion of tho line. General Slocum,
of tho Twelfth Corps, in command of the right
wing, says : " The First division moved at once
and arrived in timo to assist in repelling tho
assault. Tho two brigades of tho Second di
vision under Brigadier-General Geary, by some
unfortunate and unaccountable mistake, did
not follow tho First division, but took tho road
leading to Two Taverns, crossing Bock Creek."
Lockwood's brigade, serving with tho First
division, reached tho ground in time to support
Humphreys in tho final assault by which he
recaptured his lost artillery, and in connection
with tho remainder of Bugcr's division pushed
forward until General Williams, commanding
tho Twelfth Corps, ordered a halt to await in
structions. It was now quilo dark, and soon
after, in compliance with orders from General
Slocum, General Williams turned tho head of
his column towards their original position in the
breastworks.
Tho night was dark, and in its movement
over unknown ground the division came near
marching into the Confederate lines. Its course,
from the point at which it had halted to await
orders, led along tho baso of Cemetery Bidgo.
The column bore too far to the left, and was
advancing unconsciously towards General Hill's
pickets when Private McElroy, of tho First
Maryland Potomac Homo brigade, who was
familiar with tho topography of tho country,
called tho attention of his captain to their
proximity to Oak Bidgo. Tho captain lost no
timo in acquainting Colonel Maulsby with the
probability of tho early capture of tho entire
command if it held on its course. Information
was at onco conveyed to General Williams, who
called a halt, sent for McElroy, and questioned
him. Tho result was that tho division counter
marched, and, crossing Cemetery Bidge, reached
the open fields behind their breast works to find
them occupied by Confederate troops.
GItEENE'S GALLANT riGHT ON GULP'S HILL.
Tho lierco attack made upon Greene's brigado
by Johnson's division in position on Gulp's
Hill was as fiercely met by tho Sixtieth, One
Hundred and Second, Seventy -eighth, One
Hundred and Thirty-seventh, and One Huu
dred and Forty-ninth Now York regiments.
Tho withdrawal of tho Twelfth Corps under
General Williams left tlio entiro lino of breast
works previously occupied by the corps to tho
charge of this gallant brigade, numbering 1,350
men. Beforo tho appearance of tho enemy in
his front General Greeno sent tho Ono Hundred
and Thirty-seventh New York to occupy the
entrenchments of Kane's brigade, next on his
right, where that regiment became immediately
engaged. Colonel Ireland withdrew his right,
throwing back his lino perpendicular to the
entrenchments in which lie had been in posi
tion, aud presenting his front to tho enemy in
his new position. As soon as tho attack com
menced, General Greeno called on Geucr.il
Wadsworth for re-enforcements (who sent 355
men), aud on General Howard (who rcsXonded
with 400). Colonel Smith's California regiment
was placed on the right of the Ono Hundred
and Thirty-seventh New York, but was soon
withdrawn by its colonel. This left the right
in a critical condition, but the gallant Greeno
was equal to tho emergency. Tho troops from
the First aud Eleventh Corps the Sixth Wis
consin, Fourteenth Brooklyn, and Ono Hun
dred and Forty-seventh New York from tho
former, and tho Eighty-second Illinois, the
Forty-fifth New York, and the Sixty-first Ohio
from tho latter wero placed in line in rear of
the entrenchments and relieved those in front
at stated intonate. General Greeno gives the
following terse account of tho systematic hand
ling of his troops on this occasion: "Tho regi-.
ments in tho entrenchments weio relieved at
from thirty to ninety minutes by others with
fresh ammunition and clean arms, going for
ward at a double-quick and with a cheer; the
regiments relieved falling back through their
files when they arrived in the trenches, so that
the fire was kept up constantly and effectively
over our whole line, and tho men wero always
comparatively fresh and their arms in good or
der; tho regiments relieved going to work with
alacrity as soou :is in rear to clean their anus.
Tho officers and men behaved admirably during
the whole contest. At the close of the contest
wo occupied tho whole of the trenches of tho
Third brigade." Part of Candy's brigade
reached tho ground, with 1,000 men, in time to
assist at the final repulse, increasing Greene's
force to 3,105 men, but not over 1,300 men were
engaged at any one time. Tho Union loss was
heavy in killed, wounded, and missing, but it
was little over one-half that of tho Confeder
ates in killed alone, which was 510.
JUliAL EAIILY EXPLAINS HOW IT HAPPENED.
General Early refers as follows to the failure
of Ewell's corp.s to obtain permanent lodgment
on Cemetery Itidge and Gulp's Hill :
"After night (of tho 2d) 1 was directed by
General Ewell to order Smith's brigado (three
regiments) to report to General Johnson on the
lelt by daylight next morning, aud General
Smith, in pursuance of tho orders given him,
did report to General Johnson, aud his three
regiments wero engaged on the 3d on tho ex
treme left, under that officer's direction.
At the same timo Johnson was making excel
lent progress in capturing tho works on Gulp's
Hill, when tho part of the Twelfth Corps that
had been sent to meet Lougstrect's attack on
their left returned and arrested his progress."
Alluding to tho attack of tho 2d, ho says:
"Had Bodes' division on my immediate right
and ono of Hill's divisions on his right ad
vanced simultaneously with my two brigades,
wo would have obtained such a lodgment on
Cemetery Hill, while Johnson would have been
enabled to gain Gulp's Hill, that the enemy
must have been forced to retire from his posi
tion in great disorder; but thero was such a
misconception of oiders or delay in carrying
them out, that this most promising movement
was thwarted just as it was on tho point of
proving a grand success."
THE TWELFTH COUPS EXPELS THE INTUUDEUS-
It was now midnight, and apprehensive of the
mishaps and confusion of a night attack upon
such concealed positions, General Buger with
drew his command and placed it in two lines near
the,Baltimorepike. Geary's division was brought
back and placed to attack Rfc daylight from
Greene's position on tho left. Johnson's troops
were awakened from dreams of fancied security
by a tremendous artillery fire, which continued
fifteen minutes, when they attacked Geary's
division with great fury. General Williams
gives the following account of the fight: "Tho
artillery opened with a tremendous firo at day
light at from GOO to 800 yards range, which
was continued, by arrangement, for fifteen min
utes. On the discontinuance of the firo tho
enemy, without awaiting our assault, them
selves attacked Geary's division with great
fury and with evident confidence of carrying
our position and getting possession of the Balti
more pike, a movement of vast consequence
had it been successful. It was plain they had
brought up strong re-enforccments at night for
this purpose. Prisoners reporledthat their
force consisted of two strong divisions of
Ewell's corps. Geary's division received the
attack with marked steadiness and valor. Tho
combat continued for seven hours in almost
unremitting fury. During its continuance
Lockwood's brigade, strengthened during tho
morning by the arrival of the First Maryland
Eastern Shoro regiment, was ordered to re-enforce
Geary's division, and afterwards Shaler's
brigade of the Sixth Corps came to its support
and rendered important aid. In tho meantime
Buger pushed a strong line of skirmishers from
his position on the right into the woods and
against the stone wall and breastworks on that
flank, occupied in strength by the enemy. A
broad marsh intervening between his line and
the breastworks presented a serious obstacle to
a direct attack, and the stone wall, tho natural
rocky defenses, and tho open, deep marshy
ground on tho extremity of tho breastworks
near tho creek, prevented any hopeful attempt
to turn this flank of tho enemy's position. At
length tho enemy attempted to push beyond
tho intrenchments on our right, and was in
turn repulsed and followed sharply beyond tho
defenses by regiments of tho First division
posted iu tho woods to observe his movements.
An advance from Geary's division atthesamo
time effectually and finally expelled them from
our breastworks, which wo at onco occupied in
their entiro length. Several hundred prisoners
woro taken in tho final charge, aud tho numer
ous dead left on tho field presented fearful
proof of the stubbornness and numbers of tho
enemy as well as of the coolness and enduring
valor of our own troops."
During this struggle Colonel Maulsby's Mary
land regiment fought the enemy first at Spang
ler's Spring and then, further to tho left, on
Gulp's Hill, losing heavily.
THE FINAL ACT INTRODUCED BY TnE KOAIt
OF TWO IIUNDKED GUNS.
The lino on Gulp's Hill was re-established,
and tho right flank of the army secured. After
this contest thero w:is a brief pause in the ope
rations of both armies. This unusual calm was
only broken- by a few straggling shots. Thus
the day passed until 1 p. m., when tho enemy
opened fire from numerous batteries, (one hun
dred and fifteen guns,) playing principally upon
tho left and ccutiy. This firo w.'is immedi
ately answered by the Union artillerj, (eighty
fivo guns,) aud for two horn's tho most terrific
cannonading probably ever witnessed on this
continent was maintained. At half past two
o'clock, Tickett's divisiou of Longstreet's corps,
in two long, dark, massive lines, strongly sup
ported on its right Hank oy Wilcox's brigade
and ou its left by Pettigrcw's (formerly Heth's)
division, of Hill's corps, emerged from tho
wooded crest of Seminary Bidgo and moved
over the plain towards tho Union left centre
When this heavy assaulting column had passed
over about one-third of tho distanco between
tho two opposing lines, the Union artillery,
which had, by oiders, suspended its firo for
awhile, opened upon it with shell aud grape.
For a few minutes only it seemed to hesitate,
then, with a terrific yell, it rushed to the charge.
Hancock's men withheld their firo until tho
Confederates had approached within short range,
when they opened upon them a deadly dischargo
of musketry that mowed them down iiko grass.
After a desperate strugglo tho foe was driven
back with great slaughter aud tho loss of many
men as prisoners.
An eye witness thus describes tho scene:
"Tho troops of General Pickett's division
advanced in splendid order. On his left, tho
command of General Pettigrew emerged from
tho woods and swept down tho slope of tho
hill to the valley beneath, and somo two or
thrco hundred yards in tiio rear of General j
Pickett. As it entered tho conflict, tho lino
wavered, being raw soldiers and wanting tho
firmness of nerve and steadiness of tread of the
advance. As the advance came under tho lire
of the First and Second Corps, tho enemy ceased
('.ring from their batteries. Tho advance of
General Pickett, composed chiefly of Virgin
ians, pressed forward. A torriblo fire of grape,
bheli, and cauihter from forty guns is opened
upon them. They waver not, but cross tho
Eminitlsburg road, and approach tho masses of
infantry. General Gibbon, in commaud now
of tho Second Corps, walks composedly along
the ranks, saying: 'Hold yourire, boys they
aro not near enough yet.' They como still
nearer then, with bayonets at tho charge,
bweep up to the rifle-pits. A lino of lire flashes
from tho Second Corps, and hundreds go down,
but they do not falter. , They chargo over tiio
pits. General Gibbon orders his men to fall
back to tho rear of the batteries. It is dono
without confusion, to allow tho artillery to uso
grape. Still on they press, up to tho muzzles
of tho guns. Meanwhile, the hot firo has
thrown tho division of General Pettigrew iuto
tho utmost confusion. Their lino is broken
they aro scattered over tho plain, and flying
panic-stricken to tho rear. General Pettigrew
was wounded, but still retained command, aud
vainly strovo to rally his num. Tho moving
imiss rushes to the rear, and General Pickett
was loft to contend alone. Strong flanking
bodies were moved round to gain his
rear. His oilicers were falling on every sido
and ho gavo the order to fall back. In doing
this they wero pressed with great vigor, and a
largo number wero taken prisoners. Their ro
treat was finally covered by a brigade, under
General Wright, which was moved forward by
General Leo for that purpose. While this as
sault was being made, the extreme right and
left were threatened by Generals EwcU and
Longstreet."
To he continued.'
A Toothsome 3Iorsol.
This from tho Madison ( Wis.) Democrat, con
veys its own moral : Hold on ! We aro cogniz
ant of tho fact that an aching tooth was last
night cured by tho application of St. Jacobs
Oil. The young follow got mad over his raging
tooth in the ball room, and rushed straightway
to a drug storo where ho applied the good old
German Bemcdy; in ten minutes the toothache
had gone.
Beauty measured by a finger-print: Beauty
is only vein deep, anc sometimes it is only as
deep as tho powder and paint. Boston 2Va-scrijit.
CHICpAU&JL
- .
An Incident of the Great Battls in
Georgia.
A FRIEND IN NEED.
Uncle Joe and Aunt Dinali as
ftiliLnstering' Angels.
IN" A "VERT TIGHT PLACE.
Again at Liberty The Head
Stone at Chattanooga.
III.
Suddenly I heaid a step down the road from
the other direction. I looked carefully through
tho bushes, aud to my great joy I saw an old
negro woman coming down tho road with an
immense bundle on her head. When she ar
rived opposite to me, and not more than fifteen
feet away, I stepped boldly out of the bushes
and stood beforo her. She was terribly fright
ened and came very near giving a shriek. I
immediately said: "Aunty, can you give me
something to cat?" After tho first exclama
tion of surprise, her first words were : " O lor'
gor ormity, Massa, you nearly scar' mo to def.
Ai you ono of Mr. Linkum's sogers?" I an
swered yes ; that I had run away from prison,
and was trying to get back to tho Union army.
" Wal, you jest git right back in do bushes dar;
efolo massa orauy.of dem white folks sees you,
yer a treed coon now, sho' ; you go." Sho
appeared to be in so much fear of my being
seen, I stepped back into tho bushes, when she
said: "You keeps hid clos', and I'll send Joo
up hyar fore long ; you keeps hid, an' we'll
feed yer."
MINISTERING ANGELS DONE IN EBONY.
She passed on down tiio road to tho negro
qnartcrs. and hope revived within me, but it
seemed to me an ago beforo Joe mado his ap
pearance. At last, nearly noon, I saw an old
white-headed negro coming up tho road with a
bumilo uudcr his arm, and ho was singing at
the top of his voice. When ho arrived nearly
to the placo where I was hid, ho stopped sing
ing and stepped into tho bushes aud came to
me. Ho appeared to bo in a great hurry, and
laying down tho hundlo beforo me ho said:
"Aunt Dinah sent mo up hyar; can't stay no
time; you'll fin' sum corn-bread aud meat in
dar, aud sum ole clos, for if dey should seo yer
in dem clos you'd nebber get back agin, sho';
and dar is sum charcoal in dar, and yer mus'
black yer face and ban's, and when dem white
folks down dar all dun gouo in de house to dar
dinner, yer take down do road dar till yer
cum's to big gate, and den yer goes by de ole
terbackcr-house down dar, and go in de secon'
cabin doo'. Aunt Dinah is dar and I'll be
dar."
While this speech was going on I was unty
ing tho bundle, and found inside a whole corn
pone, warm, a piece of moat and a large baked
yam. It was tho sweetest and best meal I ever
ate. Old Joe did not stay two minutes before
ho was singing down tho load as loud as ever,
aud I was busy eating my dinner. But I un
derstood all of his directions, and so soon as I
had finished my meal I changed my clothing,
as ho had directed me, and blacked my faco
aud bauds until I was a rcspectablo looking
"nigger," aud waited for (ho white folks at
the farm-houso to disappear within. It was
not long before my opportunity came.
Picking up my bundle, made up of my own
clothiug, :ny canteen and haversack, I saun
tered loldly out into tho road and down tho
same way old Joo had gone, through the gate
and past the old tobacco-house, and up to tho
cabin-door and in, whore I found Joo and Di
nah. They were on tho watch for me, and old
Joo says :
"Follerme."
DAE, NOW, YOU KEEP STILL.
"We went back to the old tobacco-house in
which was a largo quantity of tobacco strung
up on poles, and in one end of the building quite
a number of tobacco hogsheads, some full and
some empty. Without waiting a moment he
turned one of them around, into which ho had
previously put a bundle of straw, and said:
" Xow, Massa, yer jes' git in dar aud keep
powerful still; ef olo Massa know what wo war
doin' he'd skin us alive, me and Dinah. We'll
bring yer nuf to cat after a while."
In I went into the hogshead, taking my bun
dle aud stick with me, and old Joe wheeled it
about again with the open end next to tho wall,
and piled some more up over and beside it.
" Dar, now, yer keep still, and we'll send yer
ober der hill ter-uight to aunuder place."
I had hardly had time to think of my good luck
and change my clothing when I heard a horse
coming up to the house. A man rodo up and I
heard him call, "O, Joe!" aud Joo answered,
"Here, Ma&a."
Joe was apparently at work about the house,
and tho man taid:
"Joe, havo you seen anything of any Yankee
prisoners about here anywhar?"
1 had faced the cannon's mouth many times,
and had been in at least twenty pitched bat
tles, but I never beforo had tho hair stand on
my head aud my heart beat as though it would
jump out. 1 thought I was bottled up sure.
But tho cool and collected manner in which
Joe answered him reassured me, and I felt safe,
baring accidents. Tho modulated voice and
peculiar acceut would havo mado the fortune
of any stage actor, as he replied:
" Wy, no, Massa, I hain't seen none no whar
round here; has any on 'em got away?"
"Yes," was tho answer, "wo have just got
word from Bichmoud that a largo number of
prisoners havo escaped from Libby Prison and
are on their way to the Yankee army, and they
are scattered all through tho country between
hero and Bichmoud, aud we aro all going out
to-day to hunt for them. H any of them come
this way, Joe, you bo suro aud capture them."
" Yes, Massa, yes, yer may be sho' ef auy of
'cm cum dis way wo will capter 'em, take 'om
rite in, Massa, sho'."
OVEIt THE HILLS TOWARDS THE UNION LINES.
Ho rode away, and Joo went to the houac, I
supposo, to tell Dinah how to tako them in if
any como this way. I passed tho day mostly
in sleep, being furnished with plenty of sweet
milk and corn-dodgers. After all was quiet for
tho night old Joo camo aud took mo out of tho
hogshead, aud said ho would tako mo over the
mountain, to tho west und north, about four
miles; und if it was not convenient for his
fxioud thero to keep nio through tho next duy,
and tako me on to the next placo at night, ha
would havo to lake mo on about two miles fur
ther. Consequently, we travelled pretty lively
over the big hill, for, if he failed at the first sta
tion, he would bo late homo in the morning. Tho
old man seemed to understand tho situation,
and said :
"If Mr. Linkum's sogers tako Eichmun' we'se
boun' to bo free, aud wo tink the year of ju
belo is putty clqs' anyhow. We'se going to help
cbery soger, as we doc3 you, dat cum's along."
We were successful at tho first place, and Joo
turned me over to another old man, to forward
me on tho next night. There did not appear
to be any negroes in the country, except old
men, women, and-children. I was secreted the
next day in tho loft of tho cabin, with plenty
to eat and no fear of capturo. To my question,
" How far it was to where some part of tho
Union army was?" tho answer was always:
"We don't know. Tha's not in theso parts,
no whar."
The next night we went about fivo miles and
crossed the river in a small boat. In this way
I was taken on for days (I do not remember
how many), until, at last, I heard tho glad
news that just over tho hill, about three miles,
thero was a large army of Union soldiers. Tho
last negro guide I had said ho would tako me
in sight of the army, and leave mo to make my
way in alone. We soon came in sight of the
camp-fires, and I bade my guido good-bye, and
felt sorry I could not reward him for the assist
ance he and his friends had rendered me in my
wearisome journey. I concluded to wait until
daylight befoie 1 approached the picket-guard,
for fear of an accident. .The army was en
camped in a valley extending north and south,
on what had once been cultivated land, but tho
fences wero gone, and a general appearance of
desolation presented itself. I walked boldly
on, and soou approached a soldier on guard.
ARRESTED AS A EEEEL SPY.
lie ordered mo to halt, to advance and give tho
countersign, which I could not do, and of course
I was a prisoner. When the oCicer of tho guard
came around I told my story, but ho would not
believe a word of it, aud conducted me a pris
oner to tho general's quarters, aud reported mo
as a rebel spy. Hero I was questioned again,
and I could not convinco them that I was a
genuine Union soldier. I had no proof what
ever, only my word, and my story was a little
too much for them to believe. At last one of
them spoke of the bandage which was still on
my head, and they took it off to see if the
wound was there which I told them I had re
ceived at tho battlo of Chickamauga. When
they wero satisfied on that point the general
ordered mo to be sent to the field-hospital in
stead of the guard-house. I remained in tho
hospital ten or twelve days, where I was kindly
treated, and tho wound in my head was dressed
and cared for.
The suspicion of my being a rebel spy grad
ually wore off, and I was at last forwarded on
to Washington with the balance of the sick
and wounded. On arriving at tho city I re
ported at the Adjutant-General's Office, and told
my story and asked for a furlough. They wero
incredulous, and inclined at first to turn ma
away. But ono young man, a lieutenant on
duty at the office (I forget his name), appeared
to take more interest in me than the others, and
questioned mo more closely ; and finally, after
an examination of tha muster-roll of tho regi
ment, and finding my name enrolled as I had
stated, said he would assist me in obtaining a
furlough. He requested me to como back tho
next day, and he would see what could be done.
I told him I had no money, and no place to go.
Ho obtained an order for mo to report at a
hospital.
In tho course of two or three days I received,
a furlough for thirty days and transportation
homo and back to my regiment. Although I
had four months pay duo me, for some red-tapa
reason or other, I could get nothing. My
young frieud (tho lieutenant), with tho assist
ance of his friends, kindly mado up for mo a
small purse, aud I took the first train for my
home in Piko county, 111. So soon as my fur
lough expired, I took tho train for Chattanooga,
aud, on inquiry, found my regiment had gone
to Strawberry Plains, above Knoxville. I im
mediately reported to tho surgeon of my regi
ment, who was in charge of tho convalescent
camp. Tho surpriso of tho surgeon at tha
sight of Sergeant Commiro may well bo imag
ined, as he knew ho was reported on the books
of the regiment as "killed by a gun-shot wound
in the head at tho battle of Chickamauga."
OUT OP THE SERVICE.
The writer of tho foregoing takes up tho
narialivo at this point and continues it, as
follows :
After staying a few days at the camp, Sergeant
Commiro was detailed, against his will, as a
nurso in tho field-hospital at Chattanooga, not
beiug able for field-duty on account of tha
wound in the head, which was far from being;
well.
Tho Atlanta campaign commenced about tha
middle of April, 1SG1. When tho army had
advanced as far a3 Bockyfaco Mountain, Ser
geant Commiro reported to his regiment for
duty. When asked how he got liberated from
duty at tho hospital, he replied :
"Well, a train of soldiers came along going
to the front; I just picked up my gun aud cartridge-box
and went aboard; 1 never found but
ono position iu tho army worso than Castlo
Thunder, aud that was to bo detailedasanurso
in a field-hospital."
Being asked, ' Aro you not afraid of being
arrested as a deserter?" ho replied, "I novor
heard of a soldier being arrested for deserting
from a hospital and going to the front to fight."
lie was permitted to tako his placo in tho ranks.
He was in every fight up to tho battle of Peach
tree Creek, when, in the midst of that battlo,
ho reported to the surgeon, with the littlo finger
of the right hand shot off closo to tho hand.
The surgeou, with a pair of scissors, clipped tho
integument that held tho finger to tho hand,
and gavo tho wound a field-dressiug, and told
him to tako tho road over tho bridge and on to
tho field-hospital. His answer rather surprised
the surgeon, when he said: "No, sir; don't yon.
see I am in tho neighborhood of tho old
'lantern-jawed cuss' who captured mo when I
jumped from tho train? No, sir, I am going
back to give them another pop." He never,
however, had tho privilege of seeing his old
"slab-sided" friend again, for that night ho
went back to tho field-hospital, aud in a few
days was transferred, with others of tho sick
and wounded, to tho general field-hospital afc
Chattanooga, where, in a few weeks, ho died
from tho effects of tho original wound in tha
head received at the battlo of Chickamauga.
In tho National Cemetery at Chattanooga,
Teun., among tho five or six thousand littlo
headstones which mark the graves of tho bravo
soldiers who died that the Nation might live,
is one with this simple inscription :
W.C. Co.H. 73111.
