The National tribune., 1884-09-25
The Cartare of spanish fort.

To THE EDITOR: The brigade list Brig, I'd
Div in which was the 18th and 23d Iowa, Goth
Via and 94th ILL.,, was not commanded by
Gen Andrews, but by Col. Bertram, of the goth
Wis, and that is whore Comrade Duncan made
his mistake. The 23d Iowa had lately been
added to this brigade.
The first attack was ma6e by the 10Th Iowa
on the extreme left and in front of the main
fort. Cos. A, and d were thrown out as
skirmishers, charge was made up a steep hill
and the heights gained and held. The regi-
nent steadily advanced, supported by two
pieces Of Capt. Fausts Battery +, Ist Mo- Art,
until within about 500 feet Of the main fort
where they were ordered TO lie down The
shot, shell, grape and bullets fairly filled the
air. Temporary rife-pits were hastily con-
structed trees, logs and stumps were utilized
Other troops closed in on the right of this
regiment and the works were invested March
q, 1865. The 18th lost several men in gaining
their position and were the only regiment
engaged until this position was gained. Gen.
Granger and Coils. Bertram and GLASGOW stood
On hill to the right and were in some doubt
~ 10 who We were when the position was
gained until they saw Col. Bruce's black horse
and the Adjntant's mule. Col. Bruce was
wounded during the advance after the top of
the hill was reached, but did not leave the
4 field Our Chaplain, Rev. J. ID. Sands was all
| the time at the front carrying back the wound
cd out of range and immediately returning to
the front and thickest of the fight. The 20th
Wis. and Gath III. alternated with the 18th
Iowa, one regiment digging at night and fight
| ing In the pits in daytime, one regiment in
reserve or second line Of pits, and one in camp
near by. Thus the whole army alternated,
| dug and fought, but the brigade above was in
| front of the main works and the first in the
fort proper. The Sth Iowa, however, were the
first troops inside their outworks on the ex-
treme right. On the night of April this
| regiment, by flank movement, under Col
Geddes, assisted by his brigade in support, sue
oecded IN gaining the inside of the rebel rifle
pits, captured several hundred prisoners and
compelled the evacuation of the fort. In the
meantime the First Brigade lBertram's) had
gradually dug up TO within easy range and
the boys had silenced all the guns in the main
fort with their rifles that the LIST Ind ii. A.
had not already knocked to pieces
During this siege one Of the grandest artiI-
lery fights OF the war occurred. The LIST Ind
Ii. A., all the field batteries, and several mortar
batteries had been placed in position, and one
afternoon at o'clock they all opened on the
fort at one time. About 300 pieces belched
forth their shot and shell and filed the air with
flying missiles all eentering on the main work
which replied Mt first, but soon ceased te
answer Many of their guns were dismounted
or knocked TO pieces, some of their ammuni
ton boxes exploded, aud in a short time al
that could be discerned was great black cloud
Of dust and smoke. Even the outlines of the
fort were not visible. In the midst of thi!
terrific bombardment something in the rebe
works exploded and high in the air above the
din was seen q rcb, forkad end up, blowr
thither by the explosion. Some of the boys
suggested that that was a. near heaven as b,