The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-07-26
RENENISCENCE.

To the Editor of the n 0. Bulletin:
In looking over some old army notes. | acct
dentally came across one written in October
1868, after the capture of Hays's Louisan
Brigade on the Rappahannock River, and TAX
the liberty OF addressing it to you, thinkin.
you might not deem it unworthy of an in
sertion
On the Sd of October, our army campet
op the south side OF the Rappahannock ant
prepared winter quarters. On the 7th ou1
brigade, composed Of the 9Th. 9Th It'll. Stl
| and 9Th regiments, being on picket duty. OF
the opposite bank Of the river, were attacked
by the 9TH Federal army corps. The enemy.
after busying himself during the whole day in
masslng his troops made his attack towards
Z. u. We We're supported on the left by a
North Carolina brigade, having the pontoon
bridge over the Rappahannock immediately
IN their rear. On the right, we had the valu-
able aid OF the Louisiana Guard Battery.
On came the solid column of the enemy,
moving in good order and without firing
they We're reserving their fire, and so were we
-deathllke silence reigned around They
were allowed to advance to within some
twenty yards OF our works. when there burst
forth such tremendous discharge of artillery
andmusketry that the enemy We're hurled back
in disorder and all but panic-stricken. The
effect OF our guns, double-shotted with grape
and canister, seconded by the infantry, had
told trightfully at such close distance
But still they We're loath to be thus batfied
by few. and again and again they We're hurled
back with terrible loss.
''They die; but ere their ewes could close.
Avengers DER their bodies rose.
Fresh and furious, fast they fell
The ranks unthinn'd, though Slaughtered still
Darkness was fast closing on this scene of
butchery, and we We're in hopes that it would
put an end to it, and in fact the enemy's re-
taxation gave us cause so to hope. But, alas
such was not the case. Taking advantage OF
the increasing darkness they had massed in
ront OF the Carolinians on our left What
We dreaded from the first happened: the
Tar heels after a feeble resistance. broke
md fled; some over the pontoon and some in
'ur trenches, thereby causing much confusion
n our ranks. The enemy's purpose was
,alned; the pontoon was in his possession-all |
etreats cut Oft, and our capture inevitable |
sweeping along the river bank, and in rear of
ur works, we found ourselves surrounded
The attacking column in our 'front.' making a
ASH at tins Junct'lre, came pouring over our
FORKS in spite of the utmost efforts of our
Infantry and artillery, who We're bayonetted at
heir post
Now commenced frightful scene: darkness
reVentlnS our recognizing friend from foe, |
II indiscriminate firing was kept up for some
me- until seeing that the game had become
omewnat too desperate to be successfully con-
nued, we made necessity Of the old adage.
discretion is the better part of valor," and
lrrendered ourselves with assurances of good
such as SO stubborn and courageous
resistance well deserved
Many, however, preferred death to captivity.
nd threw themselves into the river MANY.
by the cold, unable to swim: and r
ANY, shot by the enemy while swimming,
und a watery grave.
While the enemy acknowledged it dear
ought victory, and the Confederates lavish of
er praise as to the gallant conduct of the
Igade, it was not to be ignored that it had
ct with its death blow
With no exchange of prisoners, and the
ate IN the possession of the enemy, d apriving
OF the possibility of recruiting, Hays wept
e loss not only OF seven hundred men, but
lewise the baton OF major genera ship, which
g swift running waters OF the Rappahan-
'ck had swept from his ambitious grasp
9TH LOUISIANA