The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-04-27
"Hatcher's Run.''

While we were yet before Petersburg,
two divisions of our corps 1.-THE Fifth
with two divisions of the Ninth, leaving
the line of works at the Weldon Rail-
road, were pushed out still farther to the
left. with the intention of turning the
enemys right flank.
Starting out, therefore, early on the
morning Of Thursday, October q, 1864,
with four days rations in our haver-
sacks, we moved off rapidly by the left,
striking the enemy's picket line about
ten o'clock.
Pop! pop! popl Boom! boom |!
boom! We're in for it again, boys; SO,
steady on the left there, and close up
Away into the woods we plunge in line
of battle, through briers and tangled
underground, beneath the great trees
dripping with rain. We lose the points
of the compass, and halt every now and
then 20 close up gap in the line by
bearing off to the right or left. Then
forward we go through the brush again,
steady on the left and guide right, until
feel certain that officers, as we'll as men,
are getting pretty we'll Into the woods"
as to the direction of our advance. 1t is
raining, and we have no sun to guide us,
and the moss is growing on the wrong
side of the trees. see one of our gen.
erals sitting on his horse, with his pocket
conn ass on the pommel OF his saddle,
peering around into the interminable
tangle of brier and brush, with an ex-
preston OF no little perplexity.
Yet still on, boys, while the pickets are
popping away and the rain is pouring
down. The evening falls early and cold
as we come to stand in line of battle,
and put up breastworks for the night.
We have halted on the slope of ra-
vine. Minie-balls are singing over our
heads as we cook our coffee, while
sounds of axes ana falling trees are
heard on all sides; and still that merry
Zip! zipEgoes on among the tree tops
and sings us to sleep, at length as we lie
down sllivering under our india rubber
blankets, to get what rest we may. How
long we had slept did not know. when
some one shook me, and in a whisper the
the word passed around.
"Wake up, boy! Wake up, boys!
Don't make any noise, and take care that
your tin cups and canteen's don't rattle.
We've got to get out of this on a double
jump
We were in a pretty fix, indeed! In
placing the regiments in position, by
some blunder, quite excusable no doubt
in the darkness and the tangled forest,
we had been unwittingly pushed beyond
the main line-were in fact, quite out
side the picket line! 1t needed only day
light to let the enemy see his
game and sweep us off the boards. And
daylight was fast coming in the east.
Long after, a Company A Boy, who
was on picket that night, told me that,
upon going to the rear somewhere about
three o o'clock, to cook cup of coffee at
half extinguished fire, a cavalry picket
ordered him back within the lines.
'sThe lines are not back there; my
regiment is out yonder in front, on
mo" said the cavalryman; "our cav
airy is the extreme picket-line, and our
orders are to send in all men be-
yond u.s."
"Then take mo at once to General
Bragg's headquarters, said the Company
A Boy.
When General Bragg learned the true
state of affairs. he at once ordered out an
escort of five hundred men to bring in
our regiment. Meanwhile, we we're try
ing to get back of our own accord.
"This way, menu said voice in
whisper ahead.
"This way, men!' said another voice
in the rear.
That we were wandering about vainly
in the darkness, and under no certain
was evident, for noticed in
the dim light that. in our tramping about
in the tangle, we had twice crossed the
same fallen tree, and 30 must have been
moving in q circle.
And now, as the day is dawning in the
east, and the enemy's pockets see MS try
ing to steal away a large force is ordered
against us, and comes sweeping down
with yells and whistling bullets-juat as
the escort of Ave hundred. with re-assur-
ing cheers, comes up from the rear to
our support
Instantly We are in the cloud and
smoke of battle. A battery Of artillery.
hastily dragged up into position. opens
on the charging line of gray with grape
and canister, while from bush and tree
pours back and forth the dreadful
blaze of musketry. For half an hour
the conflict RACES fierce, and high in
the dawning light and under the drip
ping trees-the officers shouting, and the
men cheering and yelling and charging.
often fighting hand TO hand and with
hovonots Looked in deadly encounter.