The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-11-06
In Front of Petersburg.

To THE EDITOR: Your paper is most inter
esting to me, and l often wonder why do not
hear from some of the boys of the 4th N. Y. II.
A., Co. G, in your paper.
/ copy the following incident from my diary,
thinking it may be of some interest to those
who were interested in it:
The morning of the 18th of November, 1864,
opened clear and beautiful; everything was
quiet along the line, and we deceived ourselves
with the idea that we were going to have q
quiet and pleasant day. But how often is the
cup of joy dashed from our lips just when we
begin to enjoy it the most
We were stationed in the line of defense in
front Of Petersburg in charge of Coaorn
battery, short distance to the right of Fort
Sedgwick commonly called fort He'll y. The
fort was garrisoned by battery of light art
lery, and in rear of the fort was an infantry
camp. and the troops were used as pickets in
front of the fort. They lived in huts made of
light logs, and covered with brush and dirt.
They were bullet-proof but not bomb-proof.
During the forenoon one of the artillerymen
Of the fort for some misdemeanor, was tied in
one of the embraZures of the fort for punish
ment, and consequently was q target for any
rebel that wished to use him for such. After
we had disposed of a fair share of Government
ratlons at midday, we were somewhat thrown
from our usual equilibrium by seeing three
Colonies and two Captains of infantry march
into our camp, and immediately take possession
of our Captains bomb-proofquarters. Very soon
after their arrival il was apparent they were
bent on mischief, or at least to have high time
OF it, for shortly after they emerged from the
bomb-proof our Captain gave us orders to load
our mortars and open fire on the rebels. After
firing Is rounds and blowing up few rebel
tents and tearing up the ground generally in
the vicinity of the rebels, the officers, &C.
companied by our Captain, went over to Fort
He'll" In the meantime the rebels bore the
assault with SILENCE. Shortly after they left
an order was sent to as, coming from our Cap
tain, to load tho whole battery (six pieces, aim
Of the rebel camp, and be ready to fire them
the instant a cannon was fired at the fort Very
soon we heard the report of the cannon and the
unearthly screech of the shell as it sped on
its message of death, followed closely by six
more shell from our pieces, which were shot up
into the air at an angle of 10 degrees, and down
they went right behind the rebel works. That
WAS more than the patience of the rebels could
stand the smoke from our own pieces was not
more than cleared away when we heard the
boom of the rebels s-inch mortar that was
stationed in front of /" Fort He'll" All eyes
were turned in that direction, to watch the
course the shell would take. Up it went until
1t reached the point of turning; then We dis
covered the point of attack was the fort. We
watched it with bated breath, listening to its
monotonous sound of where are you, where
are you," as its burning fuse revolved through
the air. Down it came and plunged itself
through one Of the infantry huts and burst,
scattering death and destruction all around,
killing four and wOunding three of the infan-
try. The artillcryman tied at the fort was shot
by sharpshooter. The infantry officers that
came on visit saw that the times were likely
to be more lively than they expected, 80 they
LETT. The conflict then became general, and
was Kept up until night closed down over the
scene. During the fight our battery fired 1879
rounds, but luckily no one was hurt on our
side. would like to ask the following ques-
tons; perhaps some comrade that was there
can answer: The name of the battery that was
in Fort He'll" Nov. IL, 1864? The name of
the man that was tied in the fort and was shot?
The name of the infantry that was in rear of
" Fort He'll" Nov. IL, 1s642 The name of the
men who were killed and wounded by the
shellsf IA. BEATTIE, Co. C, 4th N. Y. II. A.,
Cohoes, N. Y.