The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1861-10-04
THE MOVING BREAsTwoRK.

with no little dismay, an engine of war
which was being brought to bear upon
them, threatening the very consequences
which they dreaded most-a safe approach
for the enemy, and an ultimate charge in
force over the intrenchments The reb
els presented a strong breastwork of hemp
bales, which appeared like moving bar
rier, impenetrable to bullets or cannon
shot. and swarming with ,nen in the rear.
1t was about twenty rods in length, and
the height of two bales of hemp. The
lies were placed with the ends facing our
Notifications, affordlng thickness Of
about six feet. a a -fT5a
This immense breastwork commenced
moving forward-not by detacbments or
singly, but in one vast body, unbroken
and steady, as though it slid along the
ground of its own volition. 1t advanced
steadily over the smooth surface, parting
to pass trees, and closing up again, as i'm
penetrable AS rock. Behind it were
hundreds of men pushing and urging with
levers, while others held the bales stead
lily to their places, and others still, whose
numbers were almost indefinite, fired be
tween the crevices and over tie top, at
our soldiers. Our men looked at the NOV
ing monster in astonIshment. 1t lay like
large serpent, winding over the bills and
hollows, apparently motionless, yet NOV
ing broadside on, to envelop and destroy
them in its vast folds. In vain the can
non were turned upon it. The heavy bales
absorbed the shot harmlessly, or quietly
resumed the positions from which they
were displaced, seemingly moving with
out hands. but in reality controlled by
strong arms which were unseen. In vain
the musket bullets rained upon it in un
RENTING showers. The thousands that
1t concealed were safe from such puny as,
sau'ts, and, slowly gliding along, they wait
ed with eagerness the time when their po
stion should warrant them in bursting
through its walls and storming up TO the
intrenchments. Our brave soldiers could
only watch it with keen anxiety, and wal,
for the fearful result.
The day was consumed in desutorv
warfare, which resulted in no particular
advantage on either side. There were
many instances cf daring which called
forth the admiration of all who witnessed
them, but the brilliant charges of the pre-
vious day were not repeated. The crown
ing exploits of the fight were reserved for
the succeeded day-also the crowning IN
fanny which covered some whose record
can never be erased.
The cannonading, which had been kept
| nm, hy ri Io
as soon AS daylight revealed localities snf
ficiently 10 afford an aim. The firing was
terrific on both sides, and nothing could
be heard but the roar of guns and the rat.
tie of musketry. s
! THE GRAND CHARGE OF TIE ENEMY.
cloud of smoke enveloped the battle
| field, which almost hid the combatants
and our brave little garrison watched its
dense folds with Intense apxiety. waiting
for the grand charge Of thousands which
they expected. and stood ready to receive.
At about 9 O'clock it came A column
OF about eight thousand men emerged
from the forest, and charged on a run at
the east barricade. next to the river.
Their approach was the signal for breath
less anxiety within the breastworks The
gallant band spoke not word, but knelt,
every man of them, with gun leveled, and
finger on the trigger The tick of a
watch might have been heard the length
of that int1exible line. and silence reigned
unbroken, except by the whispers which
directed each man to aim steadily, and
hold bis fire until the order was given.
The swiftly advancing column, embold
ened by the silence Of the foe, gave forth
loud hurrahs and dashed up almost to the
muzzles of the guns. Scarcely fif;v PAGES
interviewed. and they seemed on the point
of storming over the breastworks, when
a voice Of command rang out. and a line
of light appeared across tie breastworks
and ran along the entire line like a flash
of lightning. It was like an avalanche of
fire sweeping through the tall prairie grass
The men went down, column after column.
hey struggled to rise again, and fell un-
der the trampling feet of their comrades.
who, still inpetuous, rushed onward TO
the fray. The smoke had hardly risen
before every gun was loaded. and again
the murderous storm Of bullets went on
It's deadly errand, sheathed il. flime and
smoke l. crashed through the serried
ranks, and moved the leaders down by
columns. Still they rallied, and. led on
by daring officers, again trod over the
dead bodies Of their comrades, with des
perate energy. Again the smoke arose.
and third time the terrible voIley was
poured into their foes The ground was
piled with dead and dying, and in despair
the whole body broke up in disorder and
retreated. They rushed down the hilt
with an impetuosiy which betokened dis
may and fear. aud were not rallied until
they gained the refuge of the woods again.
In the meantime the other side of the
intrenchments was receiving obstinate at.
tacks from body of al thousand
rebels, who were ensconced behind the
bill upon which the hospital stood They
bad planted artillery, which swept our
works with terrible force, and were with
difficulty kept from charging over the
barricades The range of our guns wa.
such as to render the attempt a danger
Gus one, and they con,ented themselves