The National tribune., 1884-01-17
Tie 18th Ollie at Bald Hill.
Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
/ was much interested in the article pub
iished in The TRIBUNE some time since, by
CoInrade Walker on the part taken by the
Wisconsin boys IN the charge and defense Of
Bald Hill, on the 2Ist and ed days of July,
1864. in front of Atlanta, Ga; as also, in COM
rade Bradford's comments thereon, with which
heartily agree. / do not see how the day
could have been saved to the Sd division if it
had not been for the part taken by the regi-
ments, viz, the 18th and 18th Wisconsin, goth,
Both. 31st and 45th Illinois, composing the 1st
brigade, and the Goth, 6Sth and 18th Ohio, and
the 18th Wisconsin, composing the I'd bri-
gade, and | might say the same of General
Sherfnan5 entire army. Had it not been for
the Sd division the day would have been lost
to the 18th Army Corps, and had it not been
for the 18th Army Corps, the day would have
been lost to the Army OF the Tennessee and
the entire army.
Comrade Bradford is right as to the troops
that occupied the angle. The Wisconsin boys
were north of it, facing west, and the point of
the angle, which was formed by the change of
the front to the rear was occupied by the goth
Illinois, with the Both Illinois on its left facing
south. That is the fact as | saw it, drifted
into that fort and fought in the ranks Of the
10th Illinois after the skirmishers were driven
in from the direction of Atlanta. Comrade
Bradford is in error when he says that the Goth
and the 30th Illinois were the last TO change
front. There were two other regiments, TO my
certain knowledge, that changed front at the
same time viz. the 18th and goth Ohio. The
18th Joined on the left of the Both Illinois, and
the Goth Ohio on its left-that is, before the
change was made. | do not wish to detract in
the least from the credit due any of those who
/ took part in the fight that memorable after
noon, but cannot refrain from making this
statement about the regiment to which L be-
fltNfr nk, 10, hon, ssTA rhn N III
front we formed on the left Of the 68th Ohio,
which had been away that morning from the
brigade on detached duty, but had arrived dur
ing the early part Of the fight, and had formed
on the left OF the fort, facing south, and
thrown up breastWorks in the shape OF pro-
longation of the apron of the fort occupied
by the Both Illinois, Weshad just formed, with
the Goth Ohio on ourleff and the noble old 9TH
division on its left, when General Cleburne's
i division made those several assaults which were
the forlorn hope Of GeReral Hoods plans, but
which, thanks to kind Providence. did not
succeed. We weretin annopen field about fifty
yards FROM the woods so often spoken of in
connection with the battles OF the 2lst and
22d, lying fiat on the ground. when the john
/. mics came up with their accustomed yell. We
4 waited until they got within twenty yards of
us before we opened fire and when we did.
such slaughter | never saw before or since.
/ Their first line was Wiped out, but by the time
/ we had sprung to ogrfeet and reloaded, another
j line had como up. We opened on it, bat it was
soon reenforced byialtiird line and closed in
on u.s. We fixed bayonets, and then and tnere
we had it with dubbed mtslzets, fisticuffs, and
wrestling. Once they got possession Of our flag.
but ii was retaken by tire most hef6ic fighting.
| Again, big fellow got hold OF the switch of
the flag and tried to take Conrade Russ Bethel
| along with it, but Russ was not to be out
done that way aud jumping forward he landed
| one on that fellows jngular that sent him to
grass in ono round, and MeBurney, of Co. Ii.
| ran him through with the hayeaet, which was
/ perfectly exeusable in that kind OF fighting.
Still another rebe. tried the same tactics how
ever, and. alasi poor Rus had got hit IN the
shnnider and could mob nngy resort to TIE sauie
defense. lis disabled sral was sIuag In his
belt, ard he VAS holding OH 70 the stat
Wish MS ether h.l:itl, MALE sir. JOHNNY Was
Fixing the flag and bearer rigat along. when,
/ ints;a...f IS, ttasain DIR. Of c5.uaaay IL per
eciyt tho I'll 1T n Of .ittir5 and IN HE'D "a %
MIR isesei crack oscr tao heal
wa.cn alspos-d d hi.a e.fsc.a j. ,Ye sac