at I could not hope to defeat him, but
still resolved to defend the train to the last, hoping that
re-enforcements would come up from Camden.

'I suffered them to approach within one hundred yards of my
line, when I opened upon them with musketry charged with
buck and ball, and after a contest of fifteen minutes
duration compelled them to fall back. Two fresh regiments
coming up, they again rallied and advanced upon my line,
this time with colors flying and continuous cheering, so
loud as to drown even the roar of the musketry. Again I
suffered them to approach even nearer than before, and
opened upon them with buck and ball, their artillery still
pouring in a cross-fire of shot and shell over the heads of
their infantry, and mine replying with vigor and effect. And
thus, for another quarter of an hour, the battle was waged
with desperate fury. The noise and din of this almost hand
to hand conflict was the loudest and most terrific it has
ever been my lot to listen to. Again were they forced to
fall back, and twice during this conflict were their colors
brought to the ground, but as often raised.

[Illustration: PHALANX CAVALRY BRINGING IN CONFEDERATE PRISONERS.]

'During these engagements fully one-half of my infantry
engaged were either killed or wounded. Three companies were
left without any officers, and seeing the enemy again
re-enforced with fresh troops, it became evident that I
could hold my line but little longer. I now directed Maj.
Ward to hold the line until I could ride back and form the
18th Iowa in proper shape to support the retreat of the
advanced line.

'Meanwhile, so many of the gunners had been shot from around
their pieces that there were not enough to serve the guns,
so I ordered them to retire to the rear of the train, and
report to the cavalry officer there. Just as I was starting
for the line of the 18th Iowa, my horse was shot, which
delayed me until another could be procured, when I rode to
the rear and formed a line of battle facing in the direction
the enemy was advancing.

'Again did the enemy hurl his columns against the remnant of
men that formed my front and right flank, and again were
they met as gallantly as before. But my decimated ranks were
unable to resist the overpowering force hur