From Civil War in Song and Story: 1861-1865; collected and arranged by
Frank Moore; Published in New York; 1882. Submitted by Stephanie
Ebel.
On the memorable 31st of December, at Stone River, after the right wing was
broken, the centre driven back, and destruction was holding wide its jaws
to crush the Union army, to a few regiments of the gallant Crittenden's left
wing was reserved the distinguished honor of turning back the tide of adverse
battle. For three horrible hours, while Bragg was massing his victorious
and exultant columns, and hurling them successively upon Crittenden's position
with reckless desperation, that in the moment of expected triumph lavishes
oceans of blood and ages of life to make the final victory, the 26th Ohio,
under Major Squires, held its ground from first to last, and amid the tempest
of confusion around, and the deluge of death pouring upon it, completely
run over by more than one entire regiment, that had been shivered by the
shock on its right and front, itself still firm as a rock, a very breakwater
against the tide of ruin three times saw the solid masses of the enemy stagger,
recoil and break up within short pistol range of its bayonets, and flee from
the horrible slaughter. On this field the 26th Ohio was baptized in blood.
When the struggle was over, one third of the command lay dead and bleeding
on the ground they fought over.
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