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73 arms or leg or entrails torn by ugly missiles on the cold earth in winter not one hour alone but for days if he survives so long, melt thou in pity, and prize forever, highly prize the boon that has cost so much suffering. Who after these reflections will say there is glory in war? After standing two hours I was relieved and laid down to sleep. But scarcely had I done so when the rebels fired on us disturbing my repose. When all had become quiet I laid down a second time but again I was aroused this time by our own officers to work on a rifle pit which we must make to cover us before another day. Therefore no more sleep was vouched safed [?} that night. As soon as it was light the rebel skirmishers opened fire upon us but laying close in our pits we were in no great danger. And we could if we desired have send them messengers fully as unwelcome to them as theirs were to us. But sensible men do not deem it worth their while to be annoying poor wretches at long range, and murdering men for no possible good. But about noon we were subject to missiles which were far more disagreeable. For from a hill about a mile distant from the right flank of our Regt. the enemy had a battery posed in such a manner as to completely enfilade us and this opened. A green Regt. the 127th Pennsylvania# which was posed immediately to the right of us fled in wild disorder leaving our flank exposed of course the rebel skirmishers increased their fire we expected to be attacked immediately but we held our position for which we were complimented by the commanding General, Shully([?]
- A ludicrous scene occurred shortly after this stampede. One of the officers of the 127th was seen crawling along as though his leg was broken some of the stretcher bearers came along with a stretcher and were about to pick him up and carry him off the field when to their great surprise he jumped up and run for dear life back into the city. Some of the boys declared that he did not cross the canal on the bridge but cleared it at a single bound.