The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-02-25

from earthworks that had been built by confed-
crate hands, panic had seized upon the con1eo-
crates Immediately ad accent to the "Crater, anu
nothing apparently was between the federais
and their coveted prize bat the hills OF Blandford
| Cemetary. Every effort was made by federai
officers to align and reform the troops Tor a FUR
| Their advance but confusion grew worse con-
| founded. and a sort of eltish fate had ordered a
DELAY which proved fatal to the whole enterprise.
In the meantime the dawn of day had been sup
planted by that light which marks ViTginia's
! July weather, and the sun looked with burning
eve through the sulphurous cloud down upon a
scene of sickening carnage.
The artillery duel had fully aroused all who
had failed by that sound-sweet sleep which none
but the thoroughly tired can know-tO hear the
explosion, and there was hurry, hot haste and
wild speculation rife amid the boys who wore
the gray. Statements, vague, contradictory, and
doubtful, were readily told and as readily be-
leve but soon all gave way to the brief recital
of the fact that the Federals had blown up and
taken part of our lines, and that somebody had
| to retake them. This fact was speedily confirmed
| by Thomas Bernard the courier of General Ma
hone then in command of the divisions of which
his old brigade formed part. Bernard soon
found General Weisiger's headquarters and de-
livered his order Then came that peculiar rat
ta-tat of the kettle drum; fall in !" was passed
down the line, and soon what was sleeping camp
became line of soldiers ready for any duty, and
prepared for any danger. To avoid as much as
possible a concentration of artillery fire. we re-
paired to a valley Just in our rear by squads and
there the line was formed. After marching
short distance possibly half mile, were
dered to unsling knapsacks,n and soon mingled
pile of Yankee blankets and tents showed with
what confederate soldiers knapsack was packed.
Our baggage was soon disposed of, the line of
march was resumed, the steady, regular tramp of
the veteran line told Of determination to do the
task assigned u.s. let the hazard be ever so great.
Wrights Georgia brigade, commanded by Lieu
tenant-C Colonel Hall, was also detailed to take
part in the days work, but Mahones old brigade
had reached the line before the GeOrgians had
deployed, and then they were twice met by fire
so CALLING that not even Georgia yalor could face
the storm or achieve their purpose. Mahone's
brigade, numbering about eight hundred guns,
was the first to strike the enemy, and from that
blow. struck by a veteran soldiery, the enemy
never recovered.
When we first set out expedition we
did not know that we should be called upon to
clock horns" with negro troops and that they
had leaped our works with the exultant cry
of "No uuarter!" The information gained.
stranger would perhaps have noticed quicken
ing of the STEP each eye burned with brighter
GLOW and each gun received more than casual
examination to see that it was properly loaded
and ready for action. We had never met negro
troops. We did not know whether we should be
met by sort Of savage ferocity Or whether we
should meet that cool, imperturbable bravery
which characterizes men fighting for freedom.
But we did know that behind us lay the town
of Petersburg with its inhabitants looking to us
for protection; we knew that this was the key
to Richmond. We knew that an enemy who
had proclaimed mo quarter was before u.s.,
and we determined to spare neither ourselves nor
the enemy till the earthworks were retaken and
the city was safe. A ditch dug by the former
occupants of the lines enabled US to approach
near them with comparative safety. From this
ditch we deployed in a little valley, and then
came the final preparation for the assault. The
tons of fifteen f1agstaffs could be seen over the
hill and fifteen hostile banners Haunted defiance
: in our face The order was passed in that sub
! dued tone which denotes stern purpose, to fix
: bavonets," and by those to whom the thought
occurred an extra turn was taken in the little
screw which holds the bayonet shank on the gun
! The thought of having his bayonet unshipped "
t flashed across the writer's mind, and his right
hand instinctly sought his cartridge-box and the
/ possibility was provided against.
I Some said that Generals Lee and Beauregard
, would witness the charge, and thus another in
t centive was given to us to do our work well and
: faithfully Orders were given to the commanders
of regiments to withhold the fire until the works
Y were reached, and we were cautioned against un.
. necessary and exhaustive speed until the top OF
: the hill was gained, when we would be exposed
to the heavy fire of five lines of infantry which
4 had been gathered in our front All was now
t ready "Forward!' came down the line as
g movement among the enemy was noticed and the
counter-charge successfully made before theil
lines could be arranged. Slowly and deliberately
n we came to the top of the hill, and here, as We
d became more exposed our step was quickeneC
a and the lines were gained, but not taken Guns
e were empted in the face of the foe and then thu
d bayonet was relied on. as it was then almost i'm
@ possible to reload. The blood of whites anC
IS blacks of friend and foe, combined to form rivu
IS lets which should bear down to future genera
e tons the testimony that men can forget mercy
: and that human wrath is stronger than human