The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-10-24

through dense thlckets, up bill, over q
heavy abatis, with his left: It was neces-
sary for his, centre to dip down hill under
the fire Of Fort Williams, Captain Gaus
siege guns in, the rear of the town, and
under heavy fnusketry while his right had
to girdle ridge and move over almost im-
passable abatis, under a point-blank fire of
both Fort Williams and Fort Robinett,
supported by splendid division Of veteran
troops. The latter fort had ten-pounder
PARROTS, three of them-the latter thirty
FOUNDER PARROTS, which devour men.
It was task to be accomplished, or a
terrible failure to, be recorded. Price
had comparatively plain sailing, and lost
no time. Van Dorm was at least seven
or eight minutes behind time.a During
that precious seven minutes Price was
overwhelmed, and Van Dorm was left
with a feat of desperation to be ac-
complished. He attempted it audaciously.
His men obeyed magniticently. Evidently
he relied chiefly on Texas and Mississippi
for the troops of those States were in front.
The wings were sorely distressed in the
ENHANCEMENT on either side. Two girdles
of bristling steel glistened on the waist of
the ridge. Two brigades, one supporting
the front at close distance, moved up SOL
idly toward the face of the fort. The Par
rotts OF both redoubts were pouring shot
and shell, and grape and canister into them
from the moment of command" for
ward-charge shouted clearly from the
brave Col. Rogers, (acting brigadier) Of
Texas. They tell me it was noble exhi-
bition of desperate daring. AT every dis
charge great gaps we've cut through their
ranks. No faltering, but the ranks were
closed and they moved speedily to the
front, bending their heads to the storm
Dozens were slaughtered while thursting
themselves through the rugged timber, but
no man wayered. Onward, onward, steady
and unyielding as fate, their General in
'front.' At last they reached the ditch It
is an awful moment. They pause to take
breath for srlrge--a fatal pause. Texas
Rogers with the rebel flag in his left, revol-
yer in his right, advanced firing, leaped
the ditch, scaled the parapet, waved his
banner aloof and tumbled headlong into
the ditch. A PARROTS bullet had killed him
in the moment Of triumph. Five Texans
who followed pitched forward through the
embrasures like logs and fell into the fort.
But we anticipate. Remember that the
two redoubts are on the same ridge, Fort
Williams commanding Fort Robinett, which
is in 'front.' Had the rebels taken the lat
ter the guns of the former would have de-
stroyed them. They were separated by a
space not exceeding 100 yards. The Ohio
brigade, commanded by Col. Fuller, was
formed behind the ridge, on the right of
the redoubts The left of the 63d Ohio
resting on Fort Robinett, it's right joining
the left of the 9th Ohio; the seth was
behind the 37th, supporting it; the right of
AID Joined the left Of the 63d, forming a
right angle with it, and extending to Fort
Williams, behind the crest of the ridge.
The 18th Missouri, Col Mower, co. S. Al
was formed behind the 63d Ohio, its left
in the angle, and the regiment faced OBJ
liquely to the right of the 63d. The posi-
tons of these gallant regiments should be
described, because their actions are mem
orable. lf.HH1a 5'5 2-l.'. ~ '.-
Col. Fuller, perfectly collected, required
his brigade to lie flat on their faces when
not engaged. While the enemy was
steadily approaching, he warned them to
wait until they could see the whites of
their eyes, and fire coolly. 1t was at the
moment the Texan Rangers was Haunting
his flag on our parapet, that the SD was
ordered to fire. Dead Captain McFadden
gave the first command of his life to fire
in the field, and fell MORALLY wounded.
There were only $50 of the 63d in the con-
flict, but their volley was fearful 1t is
said fifty rebels fell at once. Six volleys
were fired and the rebels were gone. The
SD again laid down. Directly the sup
porting brigade of the rebels advanced.
The 63d was ordered to make half left
wheel to sweep the front of the redoubt,
and the maneuver was handsomely exc
cuted The 18th Missouri moved on the
left into line into the vacant space the
43d moved by the right of companies to
left, and the 9th half-taced to the left.
Suddenly the enemy appeared, and u
rious storm oflead and grape was launched
at them. The 63d fired five or six volleys,
and the rebels rushed upon them. A ter
rife hand to hand combat ensued. The
rage of the combatants was furious
and the uproar hideons. It lasted
hardly minute but the carnage was
dreadful Bayonets were used, muskets
dubbed, and men were felled with brawny
fists. Our noble fellows were victors, but
at sickening cost. Of the $50 of the splen-
did 6Sd, 1875 lay there on the field, wound
ed, dead, or dying. The last final struggle
terminated with howl of rage and dis
may. The foe flung away their arms and
fed like frightened stays to the abatis and
forests. The batteries were still vomiting
destruction. With the enemy still plung-
ing in upon him, brave Robinett, with his
faithful gunners, of the LIST q. s. Artillery,
double shotted his guns and belched death
upon the inturiate enemy, and now he sent
the iron hail after the fugitives with relent-
less fury. The abatis was full Of them, but
they were subdued. Directly they begun
to wave their handkerchiefs upon sticks in
token Of submission, shouting to spare
them 'tfor Gods sake" Over 200 of
them were taken within an area of hun
dred yards, and more than 200 of them
fell in that frightful assault upon Fort Rob
inett. Fifty-six dead rebels were heaped
up together in front of that redoubt, most