Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1864-09-22

both parties in the use Of pick and spade,
with occasional skirmishing, Strengthening
their position as best they might, to pre-
vent surprise and repel attack
Thus stood matters on this eventful
morning. The sun rose in unclouded
brilliancy, the harsh sounds Of war seemed
hushed as if awed by the glory and beauty
of the hour, while the birds fitted from
bough to bough, pouring forth their martin
song, as blithely as if their joy was never
to be interrupted; the trees whispered their
good wishes to each other as the delicious
breeze swayed their branches gently about,
the tiny brook shimmered and tinkled its
fairy music in the gancing rays of the sun,
while man alone, prepared for the death
struggle with his fellow-man by the prompt
ingsof patriotism, real or mistaken seemed
insensible to the glories and beauty of the
hour.
A little before 10 o'clock, the Generals
rode along the line, instructing regimental
commanders to prepare to charge the rebel
line. and in about halfan-hour afterward,
the command to advance was given. For
ward was the command, and forward wars
the response. FIJI jkirmish line, then
line-o fbattle, the ne reserves in anoth-
er line. AS our boys emerged from under
the cover of the woods the rebels dropped
their entrenciling tools, seized their muskets
and poured in fearful fire upon our men.
Half way up the hill the line halted, the
order to Elk bayonets" rang out, followed
by thssclang of the polished steel as it was
being rapidly adjusted to its place then,
forward" "douhle quick" in rapid success
sion, and with cheer that stirred up the
echoes in those old woods for many MILE
and sounded loud abore the rattle of mus
kerry and thunder of artillery, our boys
were upon them. Obstinately the rebels
stood their ground, returning shot for shot,
and yell for yell, until the line of bayonets
was within a few feet of them; then the
choice troops Of the Confederacy wavered. |
With an impetus that seemed irresistible,
our line leaped the works, and joined the
issue in a hand-to-hand conflict with its
defenders. Balls and bayonets, musket
butts and barrels, sabers and pistols, all,
were in full play, while terrible, though
short, was the struggle Forced over the
works by the tremendous energy of tn
charge, our line passed many rods beyond
it, covering the ground with the dead and
dying, and capturing many prisoners which
they brought back with them to the works, |
which were at once turned so as to repel
any attempt at re-capture, an operation
of great utility, as was soon proved when
the enemy made two distinct attempts to
retake the prize from our tenacious and
successful occupation. 1t is seldom that
troops have to surmount greater obstacles
In gaining possession Of field works, or meet
with greater opposition than those did, and
the losses of the various regiments engag-
ed show atwhat an awful price the victory
was gained, it being calculated that one in
five was the average loss in the commands
forming the assaulting columns.
The 4th Division charged and captured
the enemy's rife pits in gallant style, and
held them in spite of ell opposition, while
the 3D. under dreadful cross-fre, began |
to strengthen its line by throwing up
traverses and f3ank-works and building bat
terlcs for permanent occupation.
But what scene the sun looked upon
at noon, that beheld so lovely morn
long trains Of ambulances laden with the
wounded soldiers, stretcher-bear ers in eager
search for others, the ditch-ike graves with
their dozens of dead, the writhing forms of
men, in agony calling for water, for help,
Tor mercy from God in that trying hour, at
the hospitals, operating tables reeking with
blood, while poor mangled, bandaged heroes
covered the ground, cheerful even under
suiferings severe enough to blanch the |
sternest-cheek, or dim the coolest eve. |
Brave boys are they as ever the sun shone
on, and verify they shall have their re-
ward" w
CAattahoochie Ricer, Ga. august 81, ga.