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Narrative of the western theatre in the American Civil War, 1880s
19_Narrative Page 19
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ministering angel above the heads of the brave men clad in blue who fought like veterans in the same good cause for which their sirs pledged their lives their fortunes and their sacred honors. The Confederates {newspaper clipping} "The Confederates," says Johnston, "came on in motley garb varying from the favorite gray and domestic 'butternut' to the blue of certain Louisiana regiments, which paid so dearly the penalty of doubtful colors. Over them were flags and pennons as various their uniforms." Besides their regimental colors, each regiment bore a corps battle-flag. A white cross on a blue field indicated Polk's; Bragg's was a blue cross on a red field, and Hardee's men carried a flag which on a blue field bore a white medallion. The pelican flag of Louisiana and the "lone star" of Texas fluttered in company with the "stars and bars" newly given to the breeze, imparting to the attacking force the appearance of a combination of different tribes temporarily united in the one object of fighting a common enemy. Having no distinguishing marks except their corps flags, they directed their guns against the blue coats in their front. In this manner it came to pass that a Louisiana regiment clad in blue found itself suddenly assailed from the rear by its comrades in "butternut." Gen Johnston {newspaper clipping} When it became apparent to General Johnston that the zeal of his army was waning, and that the action thus far had resulted in no permanent advantage to the Confederate arms, he at 4 o'clock resolved to gather his brigades for a last final charge upon the stronghold that had so long resisted his assaults. Basil Duke thus graphically portrays his conduct at this supreme moment: "General Johnston realized that it was one of those moments when the commander must furnish an example of absolute indifference to death; when the general must give way to the soldier; when the thrilling, magnetic influence of the presence and personal leadership of the chief must be used to achieve victory. He rode slowly out in front of, and then down, the line. He was a man of wonderfully magnetic and imposing presence. His towering form caught all eyes at once, and his flashing glance and inspiring gesture could be neither misunderstood nor resisted. Instantly that hitherto hesitating line rushed forward and followed him with rapid feet.
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ministering angel above the heads of the brave men clad in blue who fought like veterans in the same good cause for which their sirs pledged their lives their fortunes and their sacred honors. The Confederates {newspaper clipping} "The Confederates," says Johnston, "came on in motley garb varying from the favorite gray and domestic 'butternut' to the blue of certain Louisiana regiments, which paid so dearly the penalty of doubtful colors. Over them were flags and pennons as various their uniforms." Besides their regimental colors, each regiment bore a corps battle-flag. A white cross on a blue field indicated Polk's; Bragg's was a blue cross on a red field, and Hardee's men carried a flag which on a blue field bore a white medallion. The pelican flag of Louisiana and the "lone star" of Texas fluttered in company with the "stars and bars" newly given to the breeze, imparting to the attacking force the appearance of a combination of different tribes temporarily united in the one object of fighting a common enemy. Having no distinguishing marks except their corps flags, they directed their guns against the blue coats in their front. In this manner it came to pass that a Louisiana regiment clad in blue found itself suddenly assailed from the rear by its comrades in "butternut." Gen Johnston {newspaper clipping} When it became apparent to General Johnston that the zeal of his army was waning, and that the action thus far had resulted in no permanent advantage to the Confederate arms, he at 4 o'clock resolved to gather his brigades for a last final charge upon the stronghold that had so long resisted his assaults. Basil Duke thus graphically portrays his conduct at this supreme moment: "General Johnston realized that it was one of those moments when the commander must furnish an example of absolute indifference to death; when the general must give way to the soldier; when the thrilling, magnetic influence of the presence and personal leadership of the chief must be used to achieve victory. He rode slowly out in front of, and then down, the line. He was a man of wonderfully magnetic and imposing presence. His towering form caught all eyes at once, and his flashing glance and inspiring gesture could be neither misunderstood nor resisted. Instantly that hitherto hesitating line rushed forward and followed him with rapid feet.
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