Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1883-01-03
The Assault. on re,-e,-reber.

The dark line in front lii up with /
blaze of fire rifed and big guns roareC
and cracked rockets whizzed overhead
and at the magic word Charge y the
whole brigade sprang to its feet ant
rushed straight at the blazing line, the
battalion on the left meeting so hct s
fire that five officers and sixty men went
down before they got TO the ditch. Fol
an instant the onward rush was checked,
but the bugler beside Sir Archibald
sounded the advance. A wild cheer
was the response, and the Highlanders
dashed forward with bound, and, after
a race of some $50 yards, found them
selves under the great sand heaps which
formed the enemy's stronghold. No
time tie stop now-over they went, clam
bering and climbing, using each others
shoulders as ladders sticking their ri
fes into the sand as posts TO hold on to;
one way ana another they got over and
inside. to begin that short, CHASTITY
work, the beginning and end of a
GLORIOUS victory. There was no
pause on the parapet, but each group
of soldiers as it gained the crest dashed
at the enemy, and the melee became
general and desperate. The Seventy
ninth and Seventy fifth could De seen
in large knot engaged in hand to-
hand fight with body OF rebels who
were desperately defending an inner
line of works, which met the front line
at right angles and was strengthened
by redoubts at the angles. The men
gsliautly stormed these, which were as
resolutely defended. Gems. Alison and
Haleny, the former revolver in hand.
were in the thick of it the Scotchman
on foot, leading a dozen different as
saults, where the Hi8hlanders rushed
in and bayoneted the Egyptians. The
fighting had lasted about half an hour
there was still strong redoubt to lie
taken, and a crowd of men went at it.
The enemy's fire was extraordinary
brisk and rapid the air was alive with
bullets and shells. The Highlanders
in front of the curtain found themselves
fred on on thr,e sides, and a great
number began to retire. That was
ticklish moment, but the officers sue
ceeded in stopping them, and they
were reinforced from the second line,
and again went on. The point III the
which the Highlanders
carried had been fortified with much
care, and was apparently the key to the
position. a strong line nearly two
miles long had been constructed. at
right angles to the main line to guard
against turning movement; Il second
line parallel to it in the same direction.
Everywhere redoubts had been con-
structed, and wherever there was cover
there the Egyptians stood. Gen. Hanloy
however, rallied tine men who were
standing thickly, but in 10 formation,
inside the front line which they had
Just carried, and led them straight along
those intrenchments, getting on both
sides of them, and thus taking their de-
tenders III reverse. As one Of the Black
Watch says: ''Up the bank we went,
and it was fu of men and they turned
on us like rats IN a trap; bnt the inian-
try did not stand long. However, honor
to whom honor is due, the artillerymen
stood to their guns like men, AMI We
had TO bayonet them. As soon as that
Job was done l saw two regiments OF
cavalry forming ON the right. Prepare
for cavalry was given, and in less time
than it takes to write this we formed in
square and were waiting for them ;;
but when tkey saw this they wheeled
to the right about and off; they would
not face square OF Scottish steel.
just then two batteries of our artillery
came into the field in fine style, and
our men cleared out and gave them
room to work. Our men helped to
wheel the guns into position, and so
tar as We were concerned the fighting
was over