The National tribune., 1882-10-12

rain, it was, indeed, a relief The following
morning, before the men of the regiment had
dried their saturated clothes and satisfied their
hunger with broiIed bacon, bareback, and hot
coffee, they were ordered to join the brigade,
then barricaded just in front of the rebel line
of works.
About six o'clock, on the following after
noon, Colonel Price was much surprised by an
order from General Whitaker, directing him
with his regiment to capture the outposts,
which the General had been ordered to do the
previous day with his brigade. After report
ing to General Whitaker as he was ordered,
for instructions, Colonel Price, with Lieuten-
ant Colonel Waters, Seventy ninth Illinois,
made reconnaissance, and, after satisfying
himself of the position of the enemy and the
ground he had to pass over, returned to his
regiment and moved it in front of this outpost
After crossing over our works, the regiment
was quickly formed in line. The three right
companies were deplOyed as a skirmish line,
and, under command OF Captain W. R. Milward
Company A., was ordered to move forward
with fixed bayOnets at double-quick, advanc-
ing the right of the line more rapidly. Colo
mel Price followed with the remainder of the
command with fixed bayOnets, the men yelling
with determination of carrying the point at
all hazards, charging the steep slope, on the
crest of which the enemy had a strong line of
breastwOrks. Rushing madly forward their
desperate resolution increased as their COM
rades fell thickly around them, and they did
not stop until they were in full possession of
the knob, and had captured two companies in
oil Al.
works, the remainder of the brigade came I'D
and took position on the knob. The Fifty-first
Ohio was thrown to the right, and the Ninety
ninth Ohio to the left of the Twenty-frst
Kentucky, and, with the aid of the Pioneers,
hastily constructed breastworks The enemy.
stung by the loss Of this important point. in
one hour after the assault, sent two columns To
retake it. Seven assaults were made of so des-
perate and fierce character that the men were
bayOnetted in the works, but General Whitta-
kers Iron Brigade held its position as with
hooks of steel, and beat back the rebels with
fearful loss. From seven o'clock until eleven
the battle ragged with intense fury, Both
armies were witnesses of the combat. Imme-
diately after the first assault of the enemy, the
Twenty first was retired short distance to tho
rear. The presence of the valorous and spirited
Stanley during these assaults inspired the men
to hold fast with a determined grip. When
General Thomas heard the firing, he manifest
ed some uneaSiness, but when informed Whit
takers brigade was engaged, he was relieved Of
anxiety, and said: THAT Iron Brigade will
hold its own" The loss of General Whittaker's
brigade was 273 killed, wounded, and missing,
the Twentyfrst Kentucky being the greatest
sufferers, their loss being 40 killed and wound
ed, that being about twenty per cent of their
effective force. The rebels lost over 200 killed,
and between 600 and 700 wounded and pris-
oners. The men captured were from seven
regiments, and these regiments were from Gen.
eral Walkers, Cleburne's, and Batess divisions,
showing that three brigades Were in the assault.
To give additional value to the success of the
TTenty-frst Kentucky in carrying this strong
hold of the rebels, it is well to state that the
picket line, composed of more men than the
Twenty-frst had, made an assault on the knobs
on the morning of the same day, but were re-
pulsed with great loss. General Kirby, with
his brigade, also assaulted similar position on
our right, carried it, but could not hold it.
Among the wounded was the gallant Colonel,
who fell just outside the works, shot through
the body close to the heart. His wound was at
first supposed to be mortal, but through the
skillful attention of the regimental surgeon,
DR.. G. J. Walton, his life was saved, but the
wound eventually caused total blindness. No
more heroic commander than General 8. w.
Price ever risked his life for his country.