Forum Host- Joined
- Aug 27, 2011
- Location
- Central Massachusetts
From the Macon (Ga.,) Telegraph, October, 1863.
"From a private letter of a soldier on the Rapidan, we get an account of a fight which may not figure in history among the battles of this war:
'Just across the river, in full view of our pickets, but at that time within the Yankee lines, is a corn field which earlier in the season abounded in choice roasting ears. From this field the men of both armies in the vicinity were wont to fill their camp-kettles by stealth; for it was a dangerous business -- the field being exposed to the fire of the pickets on both sides of the field, the danger of unpleasant collisions and interruptions was much less; but gradually from day to day the hostile gleaners approached each other, until only a few rows in the centre of the field were left ungathered. But still our boys wanted the corn, and would encounter the risk. One morning two of them had crossed the river, and were cautiously foraging among these ungathered rows, when their eyes lighted upon two stalwart Hessians engaged in the same business. All were unarmed, but in an instant all straightened themselves into fighting attitude and demanded a surrender. Both squads returned a defiant answer, and both fell to, fist and skull, to enforce compliance. They "fighting fell, and falling fought," and when they fell they kicked about. They turned and twisted, and pummelled and thrashed away among the corn, till our boys began to doubt whether they had not caught Tartars. But, luckily for them, just as their wind was beginning to fail, a reinforcement came up, in the shape of another Corn-federate gatherer, and the Yanks were captured and carried in triumph over the river, prisoners of war.'"
'Just across the river, in full view of our pickets, but at that time within the Yankee lines, is a corn field which earlier in the season abounded in choice roasting ears. From this field the men of both armies in the vicinity were wont to fill their camp-kettles by stealth; for it was a dangerous business -- the field being exposed to the fire of the pickets on both sides of the field, the danger of unpleasant collisions and interruptions was much less; but gradually from day to day the hostile gleaners approached each other, until only a few rows in the centre of the field were left ungathered. But still our boys wanted the corn, and would encounter the risk. One morning two of them had crossed the river, and were cautiously foraging among these ungathered rows, when their eyes lighted upon two stalwart Hessians engaged in the same business. All were unarmed, but in an instant all straightened themselves into fighting attitude and demanded a surrender. Both squads returned a defiant answer, and both fell to, fist and skull, to enforce compliance. They "fighting fell, and falling fought," and when they fell they kicked about. They turned and twisted, and pummelled and thrashed away among the corn, till our boys began to doubt whether they had not caught Tartars. But, luckily for them, just as their wind was beginning to fail, a reinforcement came up, in the shape of another Corn-federate gatherer, and the Yanks were captured and carried in triumph over the river, prisoners of war.'"
Bringing the