The National tribune., 1882-04-15
"REMINISCENCES OF sPoTTYsYLvANIA

"REMINISCENCES OF SPOTTYSYLVANIA
Boys, we have got hard job before us ~
So spoke old Brick-Top," Colonel S. S.
Carroll, of the Eighth o. V. l. commanding
brigade. A raw recruit might not have seen
anything very difficult, apparently, TO reach
that little line OF fresh earth crownng the
crest of the hill about thirty rods to our
front, but we veterans of the brigade knew,
although we had been in many hard fought
battle, that it was the toughest job we had
ever undertaken. 1t was early in the day
when we received the order, /" Be ready to
charge the enemy's works at three o'clock
p. M" Our lines had been moved up as
near as possible to the rebel works; our
position was in quite thick woods We
had stacked arms, and had stolen ont by
twos and threes to the skirmish line to have
a look at the work cut out for US 10 do
The Johnnies were very quiet, evidently
courting attack. Their position was on the
almost impenetrable abatis by dragging
trees and bushes up on the hillside, with
the limbs all pointing downward and every
twig aud branch thoroughly sharpened.
Without axes it was impossible to get
through it. AS each group returned to the
line it was plainly written on each face that
they considered it an almost hopeless job.
We can never get through there without
axes, and those we haven't got; but there
was no trying to steal to the rear-no vOlun-
teers to take the company's canteens and go
for water, to be gone all day. Our brave
Colonel knew his men would do all that
men could do, and the charge must be made
if every man went down. The order was
imperative. AS the hour of three approached
knapsacks were piled and the officers took
off their coats and threw them on the pile.
The weakest man in the company was de-
tailed to stand guard over them. Guns were
carefully inspected and loaded; comrades
gave messages in low tones to comrades
for the loved ones at home; no Jest or gay
banter now; every face wears a serious but
determined look; that strange hush which
precedes a battle was over all. Boom
boom-far down the line. That's the signal
Attention! fix bayonetsl Forward, double
quick! march! and away we go, with a ring
ing cheer, which is Immediately answered
by tremendous volley from the rebel works
and men that but a moment before were full
of life throw up their hands and clutch
wildly at the empty air; then fall heavily
to the earth and are numbered with the
killed in battle. Others go limping or crawl
ing on their hands and knees to the rear.
The untouched go bravely on in the face of
that murderous fire until the abatis is
reached; there they halt and vainly look
for some opening to get up the hill, but
none is found. l don't think any order to
retreat was given; but it was soon evident
that that was the best policy, and in short
time we were formed again in line of battle
in our original position. We hastily threw
up temporary ritle-pits of old logs and such
stuff as we could gather, ate cold supper.
and lay down on our arms and were soon
dreaming of home or fighting our battles
over. About midnight our officers awoke
us with the whispered order to "Fall in y
with as little noise as possible, and we
moved off silently to the rear. Where are
we going? Now all agreed that the old
programme of the Army of the Potomac
was being carried out-whipped again-and |
were falling back to some safe place to re-
organize and recruit preparatory to trying |