The Shasta courier., 1865-01-28
A BATTLE PICTURE.


A correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette
gives the following thrilling account of a
scene that occurred in the last days battle
before Nashville:
ASSAULT OF TIE HILL DECIDED UPON.
Sleadman left the group and passed over
to the left, toward his own command. STAFF
officers galloped in various directions. rode
close to Gen. Wood
Il am going to assault that hill" said he,
.in a short time. Col. Post is out recon-
noitering the position to see if he can take it
with his brigade. He will be pretty sure to
decide that he can"
watched the General closely, to see if, in
this great crisis, could detect any sign of
trepidation ON his part. Rigid asa statue he
sat upon his horse. lie was still lame from
the effect, of a wound received at Jonesboro,
and an orderly. with crutches, always rode
very near him. Scan his features as closely
as l would, yet even While he talked | could
detect upon them no other expression than
that which they wear when he is in his office,
not thinking OF battle or when nt the dinner
table conversing with his friends. The same
calm, genial, pleasant smile lighted up his
countenance. Only in his ewes, sparkling
like diamonds, could be seen his appreciation
of the stern realities by which he was sur
rounded in them the FIRE of battle blazed
visibly.
I'VE have been successful so far" he said
to some of the members of his staff land
trust We shall not fail in this attempt. Yet
we may. We can hardly expect always to
win. Perhaps the enemy will be able to
hold the hill against us. If we do not sue.
ceed in our assault we will try some other
plan. But we will beat them in the end.'
e. col. POST BELIEVES HE CAN TAKE IT.
Just then young, handsome, intelligent
looking, well formed officer came dashing up
toward the General. 1t was Colonel Post, of
the Seventy fourth Illinois, commanding a
brigade in General Beatty's division.
"Well, Post" said Wood, "how does the
hill look ?"
Il can take itl' replied the individual
addressed; and u child could not have
seemed more eager to be sent off to the enjoy
ment of holiday thanst this brave and noble
young man to the awful struggle which must
ensue for the hill.
''All right" said General Wood, in answer
to Posts assertion that he could take the
hill, and, turning to the Chief of Artillery,
." let them have plenty of metal, Goodspeed"
THE COVERING FIRE.
The fire of the batteries was at once re-
doubled; an immense volume of blue smoke
rolled over the scene fierce flashes shot from
tie muzzles of the guns as they were dis
charged. to be answered the next moment by
fierce flashes from the hill as the shell burst
upon its sides and summit; the air was con-
vulsed with sound, and amid the whole, the
Kissing and hurtling and shrieking of the
flying missiles could be distinctly heard
ORDER OF THE CHARGE.
Under cover of this tremendous fire our
lines were forming for the assault. Colonel
Posts brigade was to move directly upon the
hill. Colonel Siraight's brigade, also of
Beatty's division, was formed on his right in
support. Immediately IN Posts left Colonel
Thompson's colored brigade was drawn up.
Colonel Morgan's colorcd brigade was next
ON the left. Colonel Grosvenor's brigade
moved to the support of both.
And now g Forward - was the word. On
they moved, still under cover of that awful
fire of artllery-onward! into the very bosom
Of the cloud of blue and ny that hung over
the scene-onward! to what to hundreds was
certain death. To get better view of this
terrific charge, | rode over to the left, to a
position of the line whence Colonel Morgan's
men started. Here, from slightly elevated
plot of ground, could distinctly see all that
was not obscured by the smoke.
ITS PROGRESS.
Our men were moving forward with loud
and continued cheers, and crashes of mus.
kerry began to mingle with the roar of can
non. The enemy reserved their fire until
Colonel POSTS brigade had fairly commenced
to climb the hill. Then from their battery
on the summit leaped the angry fire, and
perfect hurricane of canister shot tore
through our ranks. A little further we ad-
vanced and then the whole surface OF the
eminence seemed to blaze with muskc.ry. 1t
was no! longer an ordinary hill. 1t was
flaming, roaring, crushing volcano, dealing
death and destruction more deadly than il
hot liquid lava were pouring down its sides.
No description can do justice to the terrible
scene. And amidst all this hell of moke and
thunder and fire, our men steadily advanced
Ever and anon their loud cheer rang above
the deafening roar Of battle ever and anon
you could catch glimpses through the thick
ening vapor. of our flag still moving ON.
The colored troops We'd with the white in
sternness of determination, and in the persis-
tent energy with which they forced their way
up the hill. But all around it the rebels
lay behind their works and poured into our
uncovered heroes the deadly hail. But,
bark the cheering has ceased The roar
of cannons and the crash of muskets is loud
er, deadlier than before There are signs of
wavering on our left. Colonel Thompson's
men, in endeavoring to pass around to the
left of the hill, have been met by terrible
flank fire from the enemy's works on that
side. In their fierce desire to storm the posi-
ton they rush one ahead of the otber; and
thus their order is broken. They do not yet
retire; but urder the whitening fire which is
destroying them, they become a confused
mass The troops upon the right torn in pie
ces by the internal fire from the summit of
the hill, pause an instant, confused by the
appearance of the left. To pause under such
circumstances is to fail. The brave Colonel
Post isjust at this juncture mortally wound
ed. In a moment all order is lost and the