The National tribune., 1882-04-15
AN INCIDENT AT HATCHER,s RUN.

AN INCIDENT AT - HATCHER'S RUNrb
While we were yet before Petersburg, two
divisions Of our corps (the Fifth with two
divisions Of the Ninth, leaving the line of
works at the Weldon Railroad were pushed
out still farther to the left, with the inten-
ton of turning the enemy's right flank.
Starting out, therefore, early on the morn
ing of Thursday, October y, 1864, with four
days rations in our haversacks, we moved
off rapidly by the left, striking the enemy's
picket-lines about ten o'clock.
Pop! pop! pop! Boom boom! boom:
We're in for it again, boys; so, steady on the
left there, and close up"
Away into the woods we plunge in line of
battle through briers and tangled under
growth, beneath the great trees dripping
with rain. We lose the points of the COM
pass, and halt every now and then to close
up gap in the line by bearing off to the
right or the left. Then, forward we 90
through the brush again, steady on the left
and guide right, until l feel certain that
officers as well as men are getting pretty well
Into the woods" as to the direction of our
advance. 1t is raining, and we have no sun
to guide US, and the moss is growing on the
wrong side of the trees. | see one of our
generals sit on his horse, with his pocket
compass on the pommel of his saddle, peer
ing around into the interminable tangle of
brier and brush, with an expression of no
little perplexity.
Yet still, on, boys, while the pickets are
popping away and the rain is pouring down
The evening falls early and cold, as we come
to stand in line of battle and put up breast
works for the night.
We have halted on the slope of a ravine
Minleballs are singing over our heads as we
cook our coffee, while sounds of axes and
falling trees are heard on all sides; and still
that merry zip! z-i-p!" goes on among
the tree-tOps and sings us to sleep, at length,
as we lie down shivering under our India
rubber Blankets to get what rest we NAV.
How long we had slept / did not know,
when some one shook me, and in a whisper
the word passed around:
Wake up boys! Wake up, boys! Don't
make any noise, and take care your tin cups
and canteens don't rattle. We've got to get
out of this on a double jump"
We were in pretty fix, indeed! In plac-
ing the regiments in position, by some blum
der, quite excusable no doubt in the dark
ness and the tangled forest, we had been
unwittingly pushed beyond the main line
were, in fact, quite outside the picket-line!
1t needed only daylight to let the enemy
see his game, and sweep us off the boards.
And daylight was fast coming in the east.
Long after Company A boy, who was on
picket that night, told me that, upon going
to the rear somewhere about three o'clock,
TO cook cup of coffee at half-extinguished
fire, cavalry picket ordered him back with
in the lines
The lines are not back there; my regi-
ment is out yonder in front, on skirmishw
No." said the cavalryman "our cavalry
Is the extreme picket-line, and our orders
are to send in all men beyond u.s."
Then take me at once to General Bragg's |
headquarters" said the Company A boy.
When General Bragg learned the true
state Of affairs, he at once ordered out an es |
cort OF tive hundred men to bring in our
regiment. Meanwhile, we were trying to |
get back of our own accord.
This way, men !" said a voice in a wbis-
per ahead.