The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-28
enc. The artificial road leading to the

entrencbment being extremely narrow, and
composed of fallen trees, great caution was
necessary in the general rush, or else there
was q probability of being pushed over
board into several feet of mud and water.
Entering to the left of Sallyport of this
rebel defence, the first objects presented to
nv observation was q dead soldier and
mule. The poor fellow lay outstretched
upon his back, bis dull eyes fixed towards
the zenith, and bis lips slightly parted
showing set of teeth as pearly as the most
deliberately polished ivory. His clothes
were torn and covered with mud, speaking
in mute but truthful accents of the carnage
through which he had passed into the spirit
world. The mule had been struck, appar.
emily, by cannon ball, and was horribly
mutilated. A little farther ahead, and re-
clining on blankets, and we'll covered from
the air lay dark complexloned man, per-
haps thirty years of age, with one hand
placed over his face, as il DESTROYS OF screen.
ing himself from the inquiriBg gaze of those
whose curiosity prompted them to pause
and contemplate the wounded officer, who,
although engaged in dishonorable voca-
ton, was nevertheless suffering brother in
humanity.
could not refrain from asking him
few questions relative to his condition and
injuries, as he seemed to be conscious; so l
incidentally remarked, shave you had any
medical attendance, sir 2" 81 have been
promised it," Where is your wound 2"
He pointed to his leg below the knee. " As
I am here to give as many particulars con"
corning this battle as possible, sir, if you
have no objection, would be pleased to
know your name and residence, that it may
gain publicity and reach your friends" l
continued. Looking me in the face, as if
gaining confidence by my calm demeanor,
he replied that his name was j. POrtsier, OF
Cbarlestown, Kanawha county, Virginia,
commanding the Fifty ninth Virginia or
Second Wise Legion. Medical attendance
was soon obtained, and he was removed to
comfortable quarters.
While walking away towards the woods,
examining the great variety of articles which
had been cast aside by the retreating foe,
our attention was diverted to well>dress
ed officer who was lying out-stretched
among the low bushes and briars, with his
face upturned and eyes partially closed, as
if in delicious and dreamy sleep. The hue
of life had departed from bis countenance ;
yet, even in the embrace of an agonizing
death, there was something that tempted US
to remark, with sorrow, that his impulsive
spirit had gone astray with his better judg'
ment. Returning again towards the road,
Surgeon in rebel uniform, consisting of
coarse gray cloth, passed near by appareRt-
ly looking for some object. Upon ques-
tioning him regarding bis search, be de-
scribed the figure of the person whom We
had just seen lying dead. Showing him the
body, he stated that it was that of Robert
Coles, who had been in command of CONS
pany of ALTERNATE Guards. He further
more stated that he was his cousin, and that
his father and mother resided in Philadel.
phia, near Spruce and Thirteenth streets.
At this period Lieutenant Colonel Mon.
tell remarked to gentlemen that he would
now ego, to show how to shoot" My pc
sition at this juncture was little to the
lett, and for moment the firing towards
that part of the woods from the Rebel Bat-
terry was like storm of hail. The enemy
perceived that an attempt was being made
to flank them on their right. Dropping
behind fallen tree in the mean time, my
attention was directed through an opening
in the bushes, and there in open field stood
this daring man face to face with his foe
He had pullsd off his over coat and hung
it up in an adjacent bush, so as to be as
little encountered as possible. Standing
then, within fair shooting distance, be con
tinued loading and firing until the wild
yell of the New York Ninth Hawkins
Zouaves,) announced their coming up the
road and across the quagmire, at one mo-
ment splashing waist deep in the morass,
and the next leaping from bog to bog.
All were finally in the open space,
bounding along at the height of glorious
exhilaration, when suddenly, in the fiercest
volley of musketry, and amid the rifle balls
of Rebel marksmen, they appeared to fal.
ter! It was moment of suspense. What
was the matter Fix bayonets J" rang
out an order, and then it was that the
grand charge commenced.
Running ahead short distance, with EN-.
phatic gestures and EXPLANATIONS, was the
intrepid De Montel while on the left was
the New York Fifty~6rst, crossing the
marsh, and almost climbing over one anoth.
er in the attempts to get solid foothold
on the treacherous soil beneath their feet.
On the right and left tanks our boys now
suddenly appeared before their entrenched
foe, who saw evidently that in few min
utes the contest must be decided. AS if
gathering all their energies for one desperate
effort, they now poured in three desperate
discharges Of musketry, while the sharp
shooters picket out their men and fred with
great precision. At this juncture the gal
liant De Monteil became a martyr to q
cause which will be described in future bis
tory as one one of the noblest and most
righteous of any era. He fell backwards,
the ball passing in about the mouth and out
of the back part of the head. He never
spoke or groaDed after falling and having
been lain beside the road, was left-a mag
niicent and patriotic tribute to the
country of bis adoption. After the field
had been cleared of the enemy, his body was
properly cared for.
o. JENNINGS wIsE-HIS DEATH.
While standing within the room where
lay the favorite son of Henry A. Wise, the
40 - L.