The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-09-11
"Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly thy rode, and we'll"

/
| Boldly th"y rode, and we'll"
| II was IL gallant deed, and wthal
not reckless exposure of life, for the
presence and calm demeanor of the COM
mandcr lis he passed through the lines of
his men set them an example which an
hour later bore good fruit and ncrVcd their
stout hearts to win the greatest and most
decisive battle ever fought on this conti-
ncnt. For an hour after the firing began
our batteries replied vigorously and then
ceased altogether, but the rebel shells
came rs numerous as ever. Then for over
half hour, not soul was seen STIR
ring on our line. We might have been
an army of dead men for all the evidence
of life visible. Suddenly the enemy stopped
their fire, which had been going on for
nearly two hours without intCrmisSion,
and then the strong lines of their in
MULTIPLICATION thousand strong-cmerg-
cd from the woods and began their advance.
AT this moment silence rcigned along
our whole lines. With arms at Il Fright
shoulder shift" the division of Longstrcet's
corps moved forward with Il precision
that was wonderfully beautiful. 1t is
now our turn, and the lines that few
moments before seemed so still now tcemed
with animation. Eighty of our guns open
their braZen mouths; solid shot and shell
are sent on their crrand of destruction in
countless numbers among the advancing
troops. The accuracy of our fire could not be |
be eXcclled; the missiles strike right in the
ranks, tearing and rcnding them in every |
direction. The ground over which they |
have passed Is strewn with dead and |
wounded. But on they come. The gaps |
in the ranks are closed rs soon as made. |
They have three-quartcrs of Il mile to pass |
exposed to our fire, and half the distance
is nearly passed. our gunners now load |
with canister, and the effect is appalling: |
but still they march on. Their gallantry is |
past all praise--it is sublime. Now they
are within hundred yards. Our infantry
rise up and pour round after round into
these heroic troops.
AT Waterloo the Old Guard rccOiled
before less severe fire. But there was no
rccOil i'm these men of the SOuth-they
marched right on as though they cOurted
death. They concentrate in great num-
berS and strike on the most advanced part
Of our line. The crash of the musketry
and the cheers of the men blend together.
point They are fighting on their own
ground and for their own State. and in the
bloody hmd-tO-hand engagement which
'nsucS, the Confcderatcs. though fighting
With desperate yalOr, find it impossible to
li,lod%e thcm-they are rooted to the
ground. Seing how utterly hopeless
urther effort would be, and knowing the
Of reaching their lines should
hey attempt retreat, large numbers of
he rebels lay down their arms, and the
attlc Is won. TO the left Of the Philadel-
hia brigade we did not get to such close
uartcrs. Seeing the utter humiliation of
'ickett's troops the division of Wilcox
nd Others on their right went TO pieces
lmost before they got within musket
lnge. 4 few here and there ran away
nd tried TO regain their lines, but many {
lid down their arms and came in a. :
ri>Oncrs. At the most critical moment ]
hancock fell among his men. on the line Of !
Vermont brigade. desperately
Oundcd. but he continued to direct the
ght until victory was assured, aud then
e sent Major Mitchell to announce the
ad tididgs to the commander OF the army.
aid he: Tell General Meade that the
oops under my command have rcpulsed
le assault of the enemy. who are now n.y. C
z in all directions in my front" "Say to a
cncral Hancock" said Meade, in reply, !
regret exceedingly that he i wounded, !.
I'd thank him for the country and myself m
T the service he has rendered this dav." q
That charge was the military elimination :,
the rebellion, and its defeat was the u
rnng poiut Of the war for the Union. o
ancock was formally thanked by Meade. ci
7 Congress. by Pennsylvania. by Phila- il
slphia; grateful people everywhere. b
nd he well might be thanked, for it may
p said that when he lay down with his
lattercd thigh in the ambulance 90 \
? carried from that stricken field.
= had but then saved the army from
saster, and the country from dismember- al
cnt. la