DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | Andrew F. Davis papers, 1862

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08_1862-04-17-Page 04

of wounded.  Some only slightly and others so mangled that it looked like am impossibility for them to live.  Some of them lay still and seemed resigned others ware raveing like demons.  Some calling loudly for help and nearly all. begging most pitifully for water.  During the forenoon on monday the leaves which had become dry had taken fire and many a poor wounded fellow was doomed to the terrible torture of being burned alive being unable to get out of the way of the fire.  Hundreds of bodies ware almost entirely consumed and nothing remained of them but a black and charred mass.  I have saw these things God forbid I should ever be called to witness such another.  The enemy fought well and bravely and we need no longer call them cowards for in this case they have proven themselves foemen worthy of our Steel. 
Many brave and galliant men fell on both sides  The most noted among the Rebels was Gen Sidney Johnson who was second in command only to Beuregard who commanded in person and it is said lost an arm in the engagement; Johnson is burried near where we are encamped. You can see in the papers a much better account of the killed and wounded on our side than I am able to give you.  Many affecting scenes have taken place during and since the battle.  A member of the 24th Kentucky Regt. which is in our brigade while going over the field come to his own Brother mortally wounded who had fought with the Rebels.  He took care of him until he died and then with his own hands dug a grave and burried him. The 11th Regt Kentucky Federal troops and the 11th Regt Kentuck Rebels met on the field and fought like demons for 2 hours.  Adjutant Lee Yaryan while riding over the field come across the dead body of his old classmate Robert Battle. They attended school together at Oxford and ware warm friends.  He was well known

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of wounded. Some only slightly and others so mangled that it looked like am impossibility for them to live. Some of them lay still and seemed resigned others ware raveing like demons. Some calling loudly for help and nearly all. begging most pitifully for water. During the forenoon on monday the leaves which had become dry had taken fire and many a poor wounded fellow was doomed to the terrible torture of being burned alive being unable to get out of the way of the fire. Hundreds of bodies ware almost entirely consumed and nothing remained of them but a black and charred mass. I have saw these things God forbid I should ever be called to witness such another. The enemy fought well and bravely and we need no longer call them cowards for in this case they have proven themselves foemen worthy of our Steel. Many brave and galliant men fell on both sides The most noted among the Rebels was Gen Sidney Johnson who was second in command only to Beuregard who commanded in person and it is said lost an arm in the engagement; Johnson is burried near where we are encamped. You can see in the papers a much better account of the killed and wounded on our side than I am able to give you. Many affecting scenes have taken place during and since the battle. A member of the 24th Kentucky Regt. which is in our brigade while going over the field come to his own Brother mortally wounded who had fought with the Rebels. He took care of him until he died and then with his own hands dug a grave and burried him. The 11th Regt Kentucky Federal troops and the 11th Regt Kentuck Rebels met on the field and fought like demons for 2 hours. Adjutant Lee Yaryan while riding over the field come across the dead body of his old classmate Robert Battle. They attended school together at Oxford and ware warm friends. He was well known