Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-08-03

Z BSAF noUSTAIS-A DELAYED ACCOUNT.
liz BIvoUAc SOUTH OF TIE CHAT
rAHoocHHE, July 28th, 1884.
EDS. CHRONICLE:
There are many details connected with
the charge of the 9th of June, that
will lose none Of their interest on ac-
count of intervening time. In this
brief letter, it is only intended to give
such facts as it is hoped viii be especially
welcome to the friends of the 125th in
good Old Trumbull.
OF the extent and object of the charge,
you are already informed. AS far as ac-
complishing the desired end is concerned,
it was failure. BUTT was glorious fail
ure, developing bravery unsurpassed
and unsurpsssable.. Men never displayed
a more heroic courage; nor did they ever
yield with more reluctance an uneven
contests contest of courage against
science, where men entirely unprotect-
ed, were thrown against heavy works,
guarded by every device known by mod
ern warfare, where no foe could be seen,
but where the very air was filed with
death-shots from unseen hands.
In ordering the charge, General Sher-
man doubtless thought the enemy had
materially weakened his lines. Had he
estimated correctly the result of the
charge it would have been the overthrow
of Johnson's army; and the nations heart
would have been thrilled with joy. As it
is, few scores of graves, a few hundred
brave men MANNED for. life, have been
the occasion of increasing our sorrow,
but have in no way diminished our conf.
dence of final victory
The plan was comprehensive. Four
veteran divisions were chosen for the on
set.s Newton's I'D Div. )of the 4th corps
composed of three brigades, formed three
colums of attack, thirty lines deep; each
regiment being in column by division.
HarkeFs(the 3D. Brigade on the right was
drawn up before an angle.of the enemy's
works where he had massed heavily both
artillery and infantry. Col. 0pdycke
was in charge of three regiments (order-
ed to be the best in the division) to be
deployed as skirmishers in front Of the
three assaulting columns. The 125th was
selected from the Sd brigade. Wehad tc
cross ravine and ascend gentle slopt
covered with thick growth of small
trees, three hundred PAGES before reach
ing the main rebel works. So close were
we to the rebel rife pits that it was nee
essary to give the preparatory commands
in an undertone to prevent them from
being overheard.
Arrangements were rapidly consumat
ed, and at the appointed time we wer'
ready. A short prayer, imploring victory
ascended to, the God of battles, a sligh
premonition of danger was brushed from
our minds, and we awaited the signal
At the sound of the bugle we bounde'
over the breastworks, and charged witt
q yell. The next moment we had car
tured the entire rebel picket-line in on
front (some thirty men in number includ
ing three oficers) and were again advanC
i inQ. We had scarcely cleared his rih
pits. however, when wereceived wither
ing yolley from the enemy's main work
staggering US for a moment, but in n
yay discomposing our line. Several me
were badly wounded, but they were lie
to the care of the stretcher-bearers, an
the line pressed forward even more rap
; than, before. -s-s, s-s, ...i-,.r ...--..
IL Arrived within FIVE rods of the reb
/ works,.we enco untered heavy abati
which it were madness for skirmil
, line 10 attempt TO pass. The men thre
+ themselves fat on the ground and col
! -lmenced to load and fire, always rising
. take aim,- as fast as possible. The he'
{ of the storming column had no soon
} come up than it too, dropped to 4
ground and commenced firing by deta
Il Soon the entire column had come to
a halt closing in mass within six rods
!. the enemy,s works. Some Of the me
were heard to say, IF the 125th can 90
D f.rLIsr,. there Is no use in tyisg." /" '-
/. Our fire now became more rapid thi
that Of the enemy. he dare not raise
( head above his works, but fred at re
. dom, being guided by his knowledge
the ground, and our near lapproar
I. IIiThus we stood full twenty minutes +
4 ing the muzzle of rebel guns, exposed
q terrible hre, but unable to procee
1. cuuld q sinultanecus charge have be