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

than one hundred feet, was occupied by the en-
envy, and when they had realized the fact, from
the impetuosity of our charge, that their attack
was failure they incontinently sought refuge in
these little "bomb proofs and in the Crater"
But the confederates followed close on their heels,
and here the hand-to-hand fight continued until
the work of recapture was fully and lrrevocably
accomplished. All this happened in much less
time than it takes me to tell it some say it was
twenty minutes, but certain it is that before the
sun had reached meridian some of those who had
escaped the dangers of assault and the wounds
of conflict had yielded to the heat, which was
well nigh intolerable Then we began to realize
the fact that several thousand dead and restoring
bodies would soon force an abandonment OF the
lines but still more must be added to the list
before those already dead could be buried
The "Crater" had by this time become place
of retreat for the crouching foe, and while part
of the line was assigned to the task of keeping up
a fire on the enemy in our front, IN their own
lines, the remainder of the line was called upon
to prevent the escape of Brigadier-General Bart
lett and several hundred men who had gathered
in the "Crater." To do this more efectually, we
took advantage of the many guns lying about US,
and loading all of them, when the enemy would
make a rush for their lines we would give them
such volley as would force them back within
the pit. Then came in the Alabamlans with
rush, a yell, and volley, and Bartlett with his
disheartened troops, was marched to the rear as
prisoners of war, their number being estimated
at about five hundred. As an evidence OF the
number killed in the "Crater," the writer re-
members keeping count for Corporal Shepherd, of
Company A, Sixteenth Virginia infantry, who
had charge of the burial of the bodies within the
"Crater" and knows that one hundred and forty
two-white and black-Yankee soldiers were
buried in the bottom of the pit, being covered by
the loose dirt from its sides. In the adjustment
of the troops after the surrender of Bartlett pOr
ton of the Sixteenth regiment was assigned to
the Crater" a banquet-tread having been con-
structed in the sides of the pit. 1t became ne
cessary to bury the dead here as soon as possible,
and Corporal Shepherd was assigned to that duty
on Sunday morning the banks protecting the
SQUAD from the fire of the enemy. Were all did
we'll it were invidious to say who did best, but
the writer is certain that no man who took part
in the battle of the Crater, and lives to-day to
tell the tale, would exchange his proud recollec-
lions for a cOrOnet, Wnlle OF Une uctu WHO lell
there it may be truly said that their death in de-
Tense of a cause and country which they dearly
loved is their highest enconium Of instances OF
personal proves, of hair-breadth escapes, of in
stances of devotion on the part of soldiers to Off
Ger or friend, the writer could recount not few
for deeds of vaor were not wanting Nor need
I recount them here to make good the boast that
every man there had witnessed baptism of fire
equal to Balaklava. Many an old confederate
who had drawn a nice bead on a Yankee in more
than a score of battles and skirmishes, could
then swear to his man, and could swear to bayo-
net encrimsoned, when before it had served only
to glitter on dress parade eBradbent, of Com
pany E, Sixteenth Virginia infantry, who COM
manded the detail of sharpshooters, here met his
fate. The victory was with u.s. but dearly had
we paid for it, for every company left more than
half of it's number among the dead or wounded
The company to which the writer belonged, Com
pany A, Sixteenth Virginia regiment, out O.
twenty eight men who went into action, lost IL
killed and wounded, fifteen men, while his
regiment, with only seven companies, lost twenty
one killed and twenty one wounded. Other
regiments numbering ten companies each, lost il
| like ratio.