The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-10-19

moment On yonder field the battle is unde-
cided the river, city, and hillsides are tlrob-
bingin the fearful conflict; fifty thousand men
are fastening to re-enforce the shattered and
bleeding columns that have been repulsed;
banners wave, bands play, the soldiers cheer,
and the rebels shell our advancing columns;
but in the thrilling excitement of that hour
the shells have lost their terror. We rushed
across the pontoon bridges, and charged up
through the city until we reached its outskirts,
where our brigade formed a line of battle
about onc-fourth of a mile from our most ad-
vanced position. For an hour we lay fat in
the mud upon our faces, to escape the shells
that were screaming and crashing over orr
heads 4 terrible struggle was raging around
us. New lines were rapidly formed to take
the place of those mOwn down by the fire of
the enemy. Charge after charge was made
upon the rebel lines by our troops with that
same reckless valor they had exhibited in the
earlier part of the day. again and again were
the blue lines thrown back from those heights
girded with death. The seId was thickIy
covered with the fallen, many Of whom were
dead; others were wounded and unable 70
leave the field, mangled and bleeding, trodden
under the feet of the charging columns as they
advance and recede, having been victims by
scores, Of bursting shells and Plunging shot.
THE CHARGE.
In the midst of all this confusion our brigade
bugle sounded the charge. In moments
time our men were on their feet, charging at 4
double-quick through gardens, over wire
fences and deep bitches. The air was filled
with iron hail 1t was the first baptism of fire
that our regiment ever received, but with the
inspiration derived from such q man as Colonel
Amcs, it was very easy thing to face danger
and death. The ground over which we charged
was dotted with the forms, and stained with
the blood, of our brave comrades who had
charged over the same ground at an earlier hour.
We pressed on until our most advanced line
was passed, and then halted under the cover of
4 little elevation of ground. Above us and
almost within speaking distance was line after
line of earthworks filed with rebels. while
above them was the artillery vomiting fire
and death incessantly. The utter imp0ssibility
of taking the rebel position was manifest to
every man in the regiment, but we blazed
away at the enemy, and they at US. The
knapsacks, haversacks and canteens, while the
dead forms Of our comrades were lying grim
and CHASTITY around US. These placed in front
of us afforded slight protection from the
enemy's guns. Night came on with its friendly
mantle of darkness and through the long
hours of that December night, we remained
Frustrated upon the wet, muddy ground.
There could be no sleep; the groans of the
wounded, and the scattered firing kept up
between the contending lines, made strange
medley for those who listened. There was
singular conflict in our breasts. We were
wishing the hours away, and yet dreaded to
have the darkness disappear.
Sunday morning came there was no agrees
sive movement made on either side. Our gen.
erals had evidently decided that it was impos-
sible for US to carry the heights. Our army
was at the mercy of General Lee, but evil
IDENTIFY he was not aware of our situa-
ton. Our troops were crowded back in
the narrow streets of the city, and upon the
bank of the river. Our only means of re-
crossing was upon pontoon bridges, and the
enemy had artillery enough in position to
blow every pOntoOn in our possession out of
the river. 1t was impossible for US to advance,
and equally impossible for US to retreat, if the
enemy was disposed to prevent it. Our posi-
ton was much more desperate than that of
General Lee after the battle of Antietam. If
General Lee had opened his guns upon our
army, situated as it was on that Sabbath
morning its destruction or surrender would
have been a foregone conclusion. Why
Lee did not seize the opportunity, do not
I,,Ft 10, :, L.
prove that he was not SO skillful a commander
as his admirers would have Us believe.
IN CLOSE QUARTERS.
Our brigade was in close quarters on that
memorable Sabbath, and the Johnnies kept d
strict watch over our movements. It used to
be the old adage at Donneybrook Fair,
"Wherever you see head, hit it," and with
our enemy it was, wherever you see q
head, shoot it,; and as soon as we understood
that they desired US to remain quiet we were
very willing to crafty them. There We're only q
very few exceptions to this rule. Here and there
was Il man who was so reckless that he would
stand up and fire at the rebels, and thus bring
upon us the fire of the entire line. One man
in Company took special delight in this.
He was cautioned by his comrades, and or
dered by his officers to desist but needed
them not He saw rebel far above him, on
the hillside; rising to his feet he took delib-
crate aim, and fired. 4 sharpshOOter saw him;
bullet came singing through the air, and
with dull thud it struck in the mans brow,
and he fell corpse q victim of his own
rashncss. Thus through the entire day we
lay, hungry, covered with mud, and benumbed
with cold.
At about ten o'clock on Sunday evening,
under cover of the darkness, we were relieved by
another brigade and fell back to the city. We
spread our blankets upon the sidewalks, and
underworld to get little sleep. Notwithstaud-
ing the grave situation Of the army, as a regi-
ment we were much eIated. We had fought
our first battle, had made a most brilliant
charge with unbrokcn ranks, where veteran
regiments had faltered in fear. Colonel Ames
passed among the men and comPljmented them
for their gallant conduct; and we ali appre-
cated such words of praise, coming from 50
brave and brilliant an officer. Sunday night
passed, and Monday came and went, but no
movement Of Importance were made on either
side. Burnside was preparing to retreat from
his perilous position, and Lee was strength
ening his lines in fear that another rs
sault was to be made. Late on Monday
night our brigade was pushed up close to
the euemys lines, and in the darkness
the work OF recrossiug the river began.
1t was a ruOst dangerous undertaking, and
upou its Success depended the salvation OF