The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-07-29


not run like sheep, and go off scattered and de-
molalized. Some of the regiments retired in
good order the remnants OF all were formed
when out of the reach of the deadliest fire.
The 54Ih Massachusetts behaved exceedingly
WELL They were the object of the most severe
attack of the day. The rebels made several rush
es for wounded, fighting as desperately for that
object as to slaughter or wound To repel these
dashes the men used the bayonet, bat were not
entirely successful, for the colored and many 9TH
ers were captured alive. As the 54th were re-
treating over the parapet, the coIor-bearer was
shot and the Safe flag fell inside. The color
guard gave a shout and there was a most credit
able rally to secure the flag. The rebels attempt
ed to carry flag and soldiers off, and there was a
hand to hand fight, bayonets being used Till the
ground was covered with soldiers The result
was that the enemy tore off the flag, but the col
ored men kept the staff.
CHARGE BY COL. PUTNAM's BRIGADE.
The brigade of Col. ii. 5. Putnam, 7th New
Hampshire Volunteers, was brought up in the
rear of that of Gen. Strong. 1t consisted of the
9TH New Hampshire, which led the column, the
Tooth New York, the 9th and CID Ohio. When
the advance was ordered Col. Putnam's brigade
moved to the rear of the old house and deployed
into line. In this form they advanced again into
the line OF our nrenchments and then again de-
ployed into close column. After passing the frise
they again deployed Into line, and in this manner
advanced to the works. Col. Putnam was one of
the first upon the parapet, calling on the men to
advance, and cheering them by his presence and
example. While there he was struck by grape
shot in the head. He fell and never spoke again.
Amid the roar of hundred guns the brigade
moved in solid column up the beaIh, led by the
steady ranks of the 7th New Hampshire. | could
see them afterward deployed into line-theu
masSed-and then deployed again, and then they
were lost in the mass of flame which surrounded
Fort Wagner
Col. Putnams brigade did not all succeed in
entering the fort, parts of some regiments being
stopped by the ditch, or the musketrY, or the ra-
king canister and grape fire which swept past the
curtain by which they were marching, from the
casemated guns in the bastons. But those who
did enter were bavely led, and fought desperate
ly, with few of Strong's brigade inside, to gain
new positions, or hold their first one. Gen. Strong
also came up, and with Col. Putnam used every
effort to stop stragger aud rally such as were
Several times they charged, over
traverse, to drive the enemy from some guns
with which they were furnishing them severely,
but each time were driven back by dreadful vol
lies of musketry. Hold on a little longer-just
a mnute-our achievements will be here IN a
said the brave Colonel, as his men were
back, and this he kept repeating every
Time they wavered. Herocally he headed them,
Drayely they stood by him till he fell, and then,
many of the field and line officers being killed or
wounded, they could not hold out till their rein
tolcements arrived, and they retreated over the
path which was strewn with bodies, the howilzers
renewed tEeir bowling, the grape came plungng
after them, Sumter shelled the retreat, and the
day was lost. All this while, tor hours, the mus
kes, rifles and howizers had been flashing, now
family and then in vivid sheets of flame. When
the last troops left the fort Stevenson's brigade
had got within one hundred and fifty yards of the
fort, having been sent as rentorcements, but they
were ordered back in season to prevent any casu-
altes The brigade was very anxious to be in
the fight, as was their brave commander.
A few Massachusetts boys were there, who were
painting for melee but it was impossible to use
them. Strongs brigade had been designated for
the advance, to obtain foohold, and it was hoped
that they could hold position inside till Put
MANS supporting brigade should join them, while
was held back in the breach "a re-
serve. But the rebel works were stronger than
had been supposed, they had been reinforced to
the number of fifteen hundred men, and they re-
sisted desperately. They had, too, the advantage
of Darkness knowledge of the ground, which we
were ignorant of, and the conviction that the last
hope of Charleston was in retaining Fort Wag-I
ner.
Just after Gen. Strong left the fort, to try to
rally stragglers, he was str uck in the thigh by
canister shot, which passed through it, producing
a very serious wound, which was supposed to be
mortal, but which, to the great joy of his brigade,
proved to be less dangerous than was anticipated.
lie was carried to Hilton Head Under the most
favorable circumstances, he will not probably be
able to take the field again for some months, and