The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-12-11

canal to find that the planks have been
taken up.
take blanks and boards from the nearest
houses is the order to the pioneers; but
before they can get them the Confederate
cannon open destructive fire. Gibb0n has
only 1000 men and be cannot expect to lay
a bridge and charge up the hill with so few.
Gen. Howe moves towards Hazel Run to
turn the Confederate right, but the Confed-
crate cannon open upon him, and he dis
covers that Early has his troops advantage
ously posted.
What shall be done? Sedgwick had
hoped to surprise the CoGfederates, but they
are prepared ior him. Gen. Hooker assured
him that there was only a small force IN
front He has expected Sedgwick to march
straight out on the Charlottesville road,
but he is confronted by 5000 men. In De-
cember. when Sumner with 10000 attempted
TO carry the nights, Longstreet hurled him
back with his artillery and the 5000 men
that were engaged.
GEN. NEwToN's ATTACK.
Gen. Newton is an engineer. He recon-
noiters the ground, and believes that the
nights can be carried. He submits plan
to Gen. Sedgwick 1t is to display wide
front, which will compel Early TO extend
his lines. 1t will necessarily be thin line,
with no supports at any point. Newton Will
have two columns formed to advance upon
the two roads leading up the hill. Throw
ing them forward at the same instant Will
be like the throwing of two lances He ex-
peets that the heads of the columns will be
broken, but believes that they can be hurled
with sufficient force to pierce Early's line.
Gen Sedgwick accepts the plan. The
troops composing the right storming party
" af
bv the 9th n. Y. and SD Pa Col. Shaler
commands them.
The left stormiDg party includes the 9TH
Mass. and 3Gth \. Y, commanded by Col
Johns.
Gen Gibbons Division and Eustis's Bri-
gade are on the right, opposite Taylor's
Hill The brigade commanded by Col.
Burnham-the 9th Wis, 9th Me-, 3lst n.
Y, and 23d Pa-deploys in front of the
stone wall and snnken read.
Wheaton's Brigade and Howe's Division
are towards Hazel Run, to make believe
they are to advance in that direction.
sToRMING THE NIGHTS.
The columns which are to break through
form in the streets, four soldiers abreast,
screened from the Coniederates by trees and
houses 1t is 10 minutes past IL. The sig
nal is given and the troops advance.
What power in military discipline! Think
of it. These men, forming in column four
abreast, few months ago were at home
on the farm following the plow; in the shop,
pushing the plane welding the hammer
thinking nothing of war. Patriotism
prompted them to enlist They are fighting
to save the Government of the people. They
know that in the movement they are about
to make. men are TO be killed. They know
that those at the head of the column will
almost certainly go down, but there is no
faltering. Every man stands in his place
waiting for the word of command, and when
it is given they obey.
1t is 10 minutes past II. The pioneers
have relaid the bridges. The signal is
given and the lines advance. The men in
the columns 90 upon the run; those under
Col Johns are on the Telegraph road. Sud-
denly the suDken road and stone wall are a
sheet of flame. From the cannon on the
top of the hill comes storm of shells.
Men drop from the ranks The head of the
column under Col. Johns falters but the
men behind press on. Col. Johns is wounded,
bat not disabled. The column is nearer the
wall, but comes to a stand still.
"On, on" shout the officers. Col. Johns
falls, but the blood of the men is up, and
with a hurrah they rush upon the Confed-
crates, their bayonets cleaning in the mid
day sun. They pierce the line and gain the
rear.
On the turnpike the head of the column is
broken; two hOwilzers sweep the road with
canister Col. Spear falls mortally wounded,
but the men rush on, up to the muzzles of
the guns, charging upon the cannoniers
Out on the left Howe's Division, in three
lines rush forward, wheel to the right, climb
the steep hillside, capturing the 18th and
21st Miss and the celebrated Washington
Artillery.
Up over the field where Sumner lost so
many men In December rush the regiments
of BuTnham's Brigade, charging upon the
Confederates in the sunken road, who flee
up the hill, pursued by the Union troops.
1t has been the work of Is minutes, but
in this brief period 1,000 men have fallen
but their banners are waving on the hilltop.
We are not forget that Gen. Early, with
about 6000 troops, is well down towards
Han:ilton's Crossing, three miles from Fred
ericksburg He is occupying that position
TO prevent Sedgwick from marching in that
direction and destroying the Confederate
supplies. BY the carrying of the nights he
is cut OFF from Lee, but is in position to at
tack Sedgwick' s rear.
BATTLE AT SALEM CHURCH.
Salem thuTch Is three miles from Maryes
Hights. Ii is brick building without any
steeple, in the edge of an oak grove. When
the Coniedeiates rallied, couriers gaIloped TO
Chancellorsville to Gen. Lee with news of
the disaster. The battle of Charlottesville
was over. Hooker was intrenched along his
new line. Lee sends McLaws's Division and
Mahone's Brigade Of Anderson's Division
upon the run towards Salem Church
The Confederates come into line by the
church and 20 10 work with spades and axes
building breastworks. Wilcox's Brigade is
by the church. Semmes's forms on his left,
Kersbaw, Wofford and Malone upon the
right. They are screened from Sedgwick by
woods, but behind them are open fields,
through which troops can go upon the run
to the right or TO the left as they may be
wanted.
Gen. Sedgwick places Brooks's Division
IN advance. He does not know that Nc
Laws and Eahoae are there, but supposes
he is confronted only by Early's retreating
troops. B3rtiett's Brigade is south of the
road, Torberl's north Of it, and Russell's in
rear. They come upon the Confederate
skirmishers and drive them in. Newtons
Division files in npon the right OF Brooks.
Rigby's, parsonss and Williston's batteries
come into position upon ridge not far from
the toll-gaie and the battle begins.
BroOks's men advance into the woods,
through them 10 the western edge, to find