The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1863-08-07
ADVANCE oE purNAM,s BRIGADE.

The Brigade of Col. Fl. s. Putnam,
with his Seventh New Hampshire reg.
iment on the right, when the advance
was ordered, moved to the rear Of the
old house behind our batteries, and de-
ployed into close column. When the
nature OF the ground would admit they
again deployed into line, and iu this
manner advanced to the works. Col.
Putnam was one of the first to reach the
parapet, surrounded by his brave New
Hampshire Seventh boys, and inspiring
his whole brigade by fearless, gal
lent conduct. In approaching the ditch
the retreating men of the first charge
were met, and some portions Of the bri,
gade were detained for a moment, but
not permanently demoralized. Colonel
Putnam sent Lieut.. COL Abbott, of the
Seventh, and Maj. Henderson, his Ad
jutant General, to intercept straggers,
rally those who halted and hurry for.
ward all troops. They did this under .
very hot fire., which was terrible short
distance from the fort as in it. The
rear division of the 7th and a portion
of the Tooth New York were massed to.
gelher, crossed the ditch and essayed to
get foothold inside from one point
while the 62d and 9th Ohio went to
another. Every regiment behaved no.
bly,, and all have fearful roll of casual.
ties to attest the persistency and energy
of their effort to obtain and hold the fol t.
One corner of the fort only was ours
and that was swept by grape and CAMS,
ter and exposed to musketry. The troops
looked back, saw they we're alone, and
began to falter. General Strong had
been up and cheered and rallied his
quondam claSsmate and ever friend, Col
Putnam, and returned to try and bring
up reinforcements. Col. Putnam i'm
plored, entreated, commanded his troops
to hold on but moment longer, anC
then another minute, and then q moment
again, but no help came. He had sent
messenger to ask for reinforcements
lie did not know that Generals Strong
and Seymour had both been carried from
the field wounded. The messenger learn
ed the fact and went to Gen. Gilmore.
The latter, anxious, but cool and clear
headed, told him the reserve, a frest
brigade, had been ordered forward as
soon as it was known q foothold haC
be gained in the rebel work. Befor,
this messenger left another arrived t
say that Colonel Putnam was killed, anc
that our troops had retired from the for
entirely. That was the result, brief!
told. Gen. Stevenson'S brigade was be
ing conducted by Col. Turner, of Gen
Gillmore's staff, to reinforce Col. Put
nam, when the news of his death and tn
retirement of his troops reached them il
season to prevent the whole re6Gi arm
lire taking effect on them. Sadly ant
disappointed they turned back, and tn
battle field was left to the enemy, ant
our dead and wounded. The rebel fir
ceased, the ambulances met the stretcher
at the edge Of danger, and the groans o
the wounded, the chirps of the crickets
and the beating of the surf, were sool
all the sounds we could hear, for the fir,
Oh both sides had ceased The rebels
too, had dead to bury and wounded tt
care for, and peace was to reign for
night, at least.
Our fresh troops fell back to the in
trelchments in good order, occupyinl
all our old positions; and the Shattere,
regiments rallied around :heir lorn, burn
ed and smoked standards, to 20 int,
camp and call the names of the abstn
forever.