The National tribune., 1881-09-17
porous fringe of smoke, slowly drifting upward

CLEANING BAYONETS
and waving banners, then the heads, shoulders
and bodies of marching men dimly outlined
against the blue sky The command to fire was
given, and it was time, for the foe were within
less than fifty yards. The ready flames leaped
from thousands of rifles pointed at the gray ranks
above and simultaneously the enemy's bullets
began in return to patter upon the leaty screen
over head like the frozen pellets OF a tremendous
hail-stOrm. Ten minutes, and the tempest had
passed away, but the grassy incline in front was
strewn with it's wrecks of mangled, bleeding
forms. The herbage, in patches, had taken on a
CHASTITY, crimson tinge. Whatever lay upon the
level ground above and beyond could not be seen;
but artillery well served at point-blank range, is
merciless There, as lower down, the slaughter
had been frightful.
Immediately after the attack upon the centre
a similar demonstration made upon the
treme left. which also resulted in the repulse of
the enemy. By three o'clock Reynolds, Meade,
and Seymour had all been called up to strengthen
the first line. There was not man in reserve,
except with the cavalry. Porter, from his posi-
ton near the Adams House, within the circle of
fire. viewed with alarm how the foe had closed
in upon him, but yet there no help for it.
The safety of the whole army depended upon his
maintaining his position, and he felt that he must
hold it at all hazards whatever the odds against
him As yet no trace of Slocum was to be seen.
Near the Union commander, sitting upon their
horses, unmoved by bursting shells and flying
bullets, sat the Prince de Joinville and his neph
ews, the Due de Chartres and Count de Paris,
volunteer aides upon his staff for the occasion.
The Count, becoming alarmed for his uncles
safety, rode up to Porter and begged him to send
the Prince beyond danger Porter, who had been
contemplating another effort to secure help, i'm
mediately dispatched him to Mcclellan with a
message stating his needs, and he departed, not
knowing by what influence he had been sent in
stead of a younger and more active man. Hur-
rah. Slocum has come at last! About half-past
four in the afternoon his division crossed the
bridge, where he was met by aides from Porter,
who directed his troops to positions where their
services were most needed.
THE NEW JERSEY BRIGADE,
consisting of the First, Second, Third and Fourth
regiments was moved to the assistance of Rey-
nolds and Seymour; the Sixteenth, Eighteenth
Twenty-seventh Thirty first, and Thirty-second
New York, Fifth Maine, and Ninety fifth and
Ninety sixth Pennsylvania. were assigned to
strengthen the line on different parts of the field
In half an hours time all in the midst of
the conflict The three four batteries which
accompanied Slocum also went into action and
did splendid service, especially HeXamer's New
Jersev.) Five o'clock. and another determined
attack was made upon the Union left and centre
Tpa foo cd in 7 w 10
the foot of the slope before they were checked
During the assault the Thirteenth New York
captured the flag of the Fist Tennessee of Long
streets corps and the Second Maine volunteers
took a similar trophy from an Alabama reg
iment. Six o'clock, and then the tide of battle
extended from the Chickahominy to the extreme
right in rear Of Cold Harbor Two miles of fire.
Will the daylight last forever?" asked the men
of themselves and of each other All, no. 1t
had already gone out for many gallant soul.
Night was destined to come to all, one way or
another by and by. At about half-past six, while
cOntending with the gray masses in front. a
shower of bullets from the left and partly in
their rear swept through the ranks of Morell's
First brigade. The enemy had forced a passage
between Butterfeld and the river, and had 1anked
terfield, Butterfeld's troops upon those to their
right. Then the whole
LEFT SWUNG SLOWLY OUT
of the timber and up the hill. There was no or
der TO retreat given, nor was there any unusual
haste manifested in getting back. The continu-
ity of the line was not broken. but DETECTED to-
ward the east, that it rested diagonaly instead
of transversely, across the valley. The men had
simply yielded, but doggedly, to overpowering
numbers. Just when the situation was most criti-
cal, Major Whiting, with five panies of cavalry
presumably acting under orders from Gen. Cooke /
succeeded in accomplishing that which the rebels
had been striving all day to do, but in vain.
Charging from the rear, riding over the Union |
guns and gunners, trampling down the infantry
the horsemen created temporary panic which
well-nigh proved fatal. The line, already strained
should have assisted in strengthening it, Mean
time Meade and nearly the whole of Morell's
division had yielded. In the ravine. where the
First brigade of the latter was located the smoke
shadows of closing day it was difficult to distin- /
guish friend from foe, though but dozen feet !
apart When the men started up the hill to,their
rear the rebels were close at hand coming up the t
work where they had lain. The scene that met
their gaze they reached the upper edge of the
timber was