The gun fire is never ending; the battle has raged on for what seems like an eternity. I can't remember a time I was more scared. All I can do is hunker down below a small stone wall along Guntown Road. My heart is pounding so hard it is louder then the gun fire surrounding me. .
"Joe! Joe! Where are we? We have been marching forever. Iowa seems so far away.".
"We are inside Mississippi, somewhere north of Tupelo. Why?".
"I just wanted to know where I was when I die.".
The bugle sounds charge. Here come the Rebs. As Smitty and I stood to fight, we hear the bugle again, retreat. Before we could turn around, our position was overtaken by the rebs. We battled valiantly for what seemed like hours when in reality it was only minutes. There was a break in the action, the rebs retreated. It was our chance to escape. Our horses were long gone, so our only way out was on foot. As we turned to run, we were overtaken by the rebs again. This time was worse. The numbers were overwhelming. One by one we fell to the ground dying and wounded. I was pig stuck twice in the arm and once in the side. As I fell to the ground, I knew this would be my final resting place. .
I lay in the mud next to my fallen comrades waiting to die, I felt my legs raised as a reb tried to steel my boots.
"Fred, come here! This Yank is still alive.".
Three other rebs joined the first[what do you mean first?] and I was pulled to my feet. The bleeding from my arms had stopped and my side was a slow trickle. One of the three newcomers asked me for my name, and before I could answer, I was struck with a mighty punch to my mid section. The slow trickle was now a gusher. .
"I am Joe Oswald, corporal Fourth Iowa Cavalry, Major Stone Commander.".
"Oswald, I am Private Brown, Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry. We are taking you to join the others we captured. Can you walk?".
"Yes. Can I have my boots back?".
"No! The boots are his now.".
I fell in line with the other shoeless members of my company and left the battlefield at Brice's Crossroads.
