The National tribune., 1881-09-17


from the north at nearly right angle. The
troops constituting the first line, for about
half the distance beginning on the left, lay
along the bed of the ravine, which was quite
heavily timbered through which the stream
ran. The woods, however, were but narrow
strip, although the trees were mostly OF good
size and comparatively free from underbrush,
extending on the east to near the top of the de-
clivitv. but upon the west barely crossing the
creek at most places, beyond which the ground
rose quite preciptously to height ranging from
ten to fifteen yards, the slope and crest as well
as the country for some distance beyond, being
perfectly bare, thus affording
EXCELLENT RANGE FOR GUNS
and muSketry against the foe. Toward the left
OF south the ravine spread out an-shaped, and the
high ground of its banks descended gradually into
the open, narrow valley of the Chiclahominy
which at that point was swept by the Union ar
tillery upon both sides of the river MorelFs
division of the Fifth Corps held the left, occupy
ing the strip of woods already indicated, It's
left flank resting upon the descent to the river
and extended in northerly direction into the
elevated and open country on the right. General
Butterfeld's brigade, composed of the Eighty
third Pennsylvania, Twelfth, (the Seventeenth
being absent on detached duty and Forty Fourth
New York, and Sixteenth (StocktOn's) Michigan
regiments, occupied the extreme left then came
the First brigade made up of the Twenty-second
Massachusetts, the Eighteenth being absent with
the Seventeenth \. w. Thirteenth and Twenty
fifth New York, Second Maine, and First Michi-
gan: and next Griffin's brigade, consisting of
the Sixty-second Pennsylvania Fourth Michi-
gan, Ninth Massachusetts, and Fourteenth New
York volunteers, joining Sy1ess division of Regu-
lars and the Fifth Duryea's Zouaves) and the
Tenth New York under Warren, which, partly in
wooded, partly in cleared ground, extended to
the rear of Cold Harbor. The entire position de-
scribed about the of circle, some two miles
in extent, facing west and north, enveloping with
in the curve and thus covering the bridge heads
to the rear in the valley of the Chckahominy.
McCalls division of Pennsylvania Reserves, hav-
ing been engaged the day previous were formed
in a second line in of the first: Meade's brig
ade on the left in the low ground.
REYNOLDS ON THE RIGHT,
covering the approaches from Cold Harbor and
Dispatch Station to Summers Bridge, further
down the river, and Seymours brigade in reserve
to the second line yet further to the rear. Cen
eral P St George Cooke. commanding five COM
panies of the Fifth and two squadrons of the
First Regular cavalry and three squadrons of
the Sixth Pennsylvania (Rush's lancers), selected
his own position and posted his command behind
a hill in Of the infantry upon the left, near
the Chickahominy The artillery of the corps,
consisting of Kingsbury's lGriffins) and Weeds
batteries ID and l. Fifth United States; Weed
EMS C. First Rhode Island: Martins and Aliens
C and E, First Massachusetts, Easton's, Coop
ers and Kerns "A, B, and G, First Pennsylvania
Reserve artillery; Edwards's L and NJ, Third
United States, with one Or two others, including
the batteries of Smead and Voegeleer, aggregating
between sixty and seventy guns, was posted
the commanding ground and at intervals
between divisions and brigades, and the horse
batteries OF Tidball and Robertson A and B.
Second United States, from the artillery re-
right of Sykes and the latter on the extreme
left of the line in the Valley of the Chicka-
hOminy Before noon everything was in readi-
ness, so far as human foresight and military
skill could determine for the onset. About
twelve o'clock there stir in front of Sykes,
FEW SCATTERING SHOTS
were heard, and then, without any preliminary
feeling out the way, the conflict was begun by
the enemy marching down the Cold Harbor
road from the west. For half an hour the roar
of cannon and rattle of musketry was terrific
Neither side seemed to be yielding. All at
once the guns upon the left edge Of the storm
slackened fire, good old-tashioned Union cheer
rent the air. and those who heard it knew the
BOYS in Blue were charging. The wave of
sound moved westward; the rebels were being
driven back Five. ten fifteen minutes-the
time dragged slowly along-and the enemy
upon the right had been repulsed: then like the
low murmuringS Of the sea to be heard upon
still night near the coast, there came to the
told them their hour of trial was rapidly ap-
preaching. Presently some of Berdan's men, from
their stations in trees and from other elevated
points began picking off the leaders Of the rebel
column marching from Gaines's house to the as
sault While thus engaged a single shot was fired
from the high ground to the westward, and at the
signal the heavens began dropping the bolts OF
death upon the waiting lines below. The enemy
SMELLING THE TIMBER.
Huge branches like giant arms twisted and torn
from their sockets, tumbled down from above,
mingled with human fruit, as here and there a
rifeman fell from his lofty perch and yet, save
a battery or two upon the right Ad few pieces