The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-10-17

were formed III line OF battle, constituting the
advance, and ordered to move forward to as
sault the enemy. For nearly mile, under a
severe fire of artillery, we moved toward the
front, over an open field, in full view of the en-
emy, passing through corn field, and climb
ing five rail fences i'm our route. A more
beautiful scene than that of our men moving
in perfect order, the shot and shell falling fast
and thick around them, it has never been my
fortune to witness. Arriving at a point about
500 yards from the enemy, we opened fearful
fire of musketry.
For over an hour we poured volley after vol
ley into their ranks, and though the enemy's
bullets gradually thinned ours, and fell like
hail around us neither officer nor man finch
ed, but stood nobly at his post. With the en-
thusasm of veterans, the muskets were load
ed and fired until not a cartridge remained in
the regiment. Every one had been taken from
the boxes of the wounded, and our ammuni-
tion train was far to the rear. At this mo-
ment portion of Gen. Newtons Brigade
came to our relief, and we fell back few
yards, forming line in his rear. But scarcely
was this accomplished, ere an order came to
charge the enemy. With a yell, the men
sprang forward on double quick-a volley or
two was poured into our ranks-then the fir
ing ceased-the enemy were running in all di-
rections. In five minutes the hill was ours
That night we slept on the battle field. The
passage we desired, and had thus successfully
opened, is a narrow pass between two noun
tains, the ascent being extremely steep and
difficult; yet up the road and the sides of those
high hills, our men charged like devils, know
ing nothing but victory. And it must be rec
objected that in this short but severe battle. we
employed nothing but infantry, while the pass
was defended by an equal number of the enc
my, using infantry and artillery, and who also
had cavalry in reserve. But it availed them
nothing-they could not stand the bayonet,
and therefore fed, leaving their dead and
wounded on our hands, besides one cannon
and many small arms, and we capped the eli
max by capturing about 700 prisoners.
The Importance of this success cannot be
over estimated. The several passes over the
South Mountain upon our right were being
with large force. But the opening of this
point gave our troops access over the noun
tains, which the rebels probably perceiving,
and apprehensive of flank movement by our
army, they evacuated their strongholds at ten
o'clock the same evening The credit of OPEN
ing this pass has been given TO Gen. Hancock's
brigade; but with all due Difference to the re-
porters, allow me to say that Hancock's brig
ade, did not fire musket, neither was it hard
ly within supporting distance. To the gallant
Slocum and his brave troops, alone belongs
the praise.
During this time and the succeeding two or
three days, the roar of cannon told us of ter
rible work going on, not many miles away,
and we lay on the mountain momentarily ex-
pecting marching orders, until Tuesday morn
ing, Sept, 17tl, when we were again on the
move. Under command of our gallant Lieut.
Col. Scammon, (Col. Jackson being ILL., our
boys shouldered their muskets with buoyant
hearts. Two hours march brought us to the
battle field of Antetan. Our brigade was
Immediately formed in line of battle, and NOV
Sb ioi W diu W TIC iioui anu Nitlllu u lew nun
dred yards of the enemy's advance.
Upon our front two batteries were posted,
which shortly opened a splendid fire upon the
rebels. And we were not disappointed in lis
tening to the whizzing cannon balls from the
enemy, the bursting shells scattering their
deadly fragments all around us-teariny the
trees above and behind, and ploughing the
earth about us. For three hours we lie upon our
faces ready to spring, at an instant's notice. to
defend our artillery, listening to the thunders of
the cannon. Nor is there more dsagreeable
position in which man can be placed, than
remaining perfectly still while war of artl-
lery is progressing. When at work himself.
he cares but little for noise or balls But our
quiet was soon changed. Two regiments are
needed to support Davidson's Brigade, Ito
which the Maine 7th is attached believe, and
which occupied an advance position upon
our left Who are to 90? 'Tis soon decided,
and Bartlett furnished the troops, selecting
the 10th New York, and the 9TH Maine
In moment the 1t. Col. had us in line, and
though it seemed almost sure death to ad-
with firm step. We had scarcely moved twen-
ty yards when the enemy, detecting the move
ment, directed terrible fire upon US. But we
soon came into line of battle, and advanced to
our new position. Slightly protected by the
crest of a hill, our men again lie down await
ing orders. The fire of our own artillery now
passed directly over us, while the enemy were
doing all in their power to render our position
uncomfortable. But we maintain our ground.
And there until dark, the battle RACES, when
the sombre mantle of night closed the scene.
Upon that field, with no blankets to cover us.
we passed the long tedious night. Ambulances
and men were busy until morning. conveying
the wounded to the rear, while the Dead most
ly Confederates, lay in heaps around us. Such
scenes can be more easily imagined than de-
scrbed.
AT daylight the fight reopens. The cannon
has ceased its work, and the musket is brought
into action. Nearly all day we were under fire,
but without any advance being made upon
either side, it apparently being the desire of
both parties to avoid general engagement
Why this was SO is best known to our comman-
ders. So there we lie upon the open field, the
hot rays of the sun beating upon us until nearly
four O'Clock. Our men are drilled to load and
fire in a redundant position, being able to
work as rapidly as though standing and great
ly are we indebted to this mode of action for