Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-08-04

attack Of the day. The rebels made several rush.
es for wounded, fighting as desperately for that
object as to slaughter or wound 10 repe these
dashes the men used the bayonet, but were not
entirely successful, for the colored and many 9TH
ers were captured alive. AS the 64th were re-
treating over the parapet, the color-bearer was
shot and the State flag fell inside. The color
guard gave a shout and there was most credit
able rally to secure the flag. The rebels attempt
ed to carry flag and soldiers off, and there was
hand to hand fight bayonets being used till the
ground was covered with soldiers. The result
was that the enemy tore of the flag, but the col
ored men kept the staff.
CHARGE BY col. PUTNAM's BRIGADE.
The brigade Of Col. II. 5. Putnam, 7.h New
Hampshire Volunteers, was brought up in the
rear Of that Of Gen. Strong. 1t consisted Of the
7th New Hampshire, which led the column, the
Tooth New York. the 9th and 62d Ohio. When
the advance was ordered Col. Putnsm's brigade
moved to the rear OF the old house and deployed
| into line. Ia this form they advanced again into
| the line o. our in'renchnents, 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 10 the head. He fell and never spoke again
Amid the roar OF hundred guns the brigade
moved in solid column up the beath, led by the
steady ranks Of the 7th New Hampshire. | could
see them afterward deployed into ne-then
massed and then depoyed again, aud then they
we're lost 10 the mass Of flame which surrounded
Fort Wagner.
Col. Pulnam's brigade did not all succeed il
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 tht
oiscmaed guns in the bastions. But those who
did enter were bravely led, and fought desperate
IS, with few Of Slrongs brigade inside, to gan
new positions or hold their first one. Gen. stront
llso came up, and with Col. Putnam used every
effort to stop stragglers, and rally such as wer
retrealing. Several times they charged, over
traverse, to drive the enemy from some guns
wila which they were Furnishing them severely
but each time were driven back by dreadful vol
lies af musketry. Hold on a little longer--jas
d minute-our reiniorcements will be here IN
moment said the brave Colonel, as his men wer
Staggering back and this be kept repeating ever,
brayeIy they stood by him till he fell, and then
miny OF the field and line officers being killed o
wounded, they could not hold out TIL their rem
lolcements arrived, and they relrealed over tn
path which was strewn with bodies, the howltzer
renewed tteir howng, the grape came pungin
after them Sumter shslled the retreat, And th
Id4t wa, lost. All bis While, for hours, the mus
kels, rifles and howilzers had been flashing, no.
gintly, and then in vivid sheets Of flame. Whe
the list troops left the fort StsyenSon's brigad
had got within one hundred and fifty yards OF th
fort, having been sent as reiuiorcements, but the
we're ordered back in season to prevent any cast
aites The brigade was very anxious to be
the fight, as was their brave commander.
= few Massachusetts, boys we're there, who wer
painting for a melee, but it was impossible to US
them. Surongs brigade had been designated fc
! the advance, to obtain foothod, and il was hope
that they could hold a position inside till Pa
nams supporting brigade should join them, viii
d Steyenson's was held back in the breach as n
e serve. But the rebel works were stronger tha
had been supposed they had been reinforced
the number Of fifteen hundred men. and they =
sisted desperately. They had, too, the adyaniat
+ or darkness, q knowledge Of the ground, which
e we're ieuorant Of, and the conviction that the Ia
D hope OF Charleston was in retaining Fort wa
=, ner.
I'd JUS. after Gen. Strong lsi; the fort, to try
10 rally s,ragsers, he WAS struck in the thigh by
I'd canister shot, which passed through it, produc
a; a very serious wound, which was supposed to
el mortal, but which, to the great joy OF bis ongaC
~ proved to be less dangerous than was anticipate
cd lie was carried to Hilton Head. Under the mi
70 favorable circumstances, he will not probably
TX able 10 take the field again for some months, a
IS, for that time Gen. Gilmore has lost one OF
s. best officers
i, Gen. Seymour was also wounded 10 the hg
nj by canister shot in the foot. His wound
'e' very painful, but is no, considered dangerous.
IN,
tly