The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-23
VICKSBURG.
Graphic Description Of the Charg,

VlChS6O NJ.
A Graphic Description of the Charge.
To THE EDITOR: The 22d of May, 1863, is a
dark spot in the memory of many of u.s. and
there is scarcely one of the old guard who
either does not carry reminder of it on his
person or points to that fatal day as the last on
earth of some cherished friend and comrade.
Comrades Mason and Fry have well de-
scribcd what of it they saw and know, but they
could not see all. Cars Division had hot work
on the 21st in moving into position near the
railroad. Every move was greeted with storms
of grape and canister and the ever-present song
of the mimic. The First Brigade, consisting of
the 33d ILL.,, Sth and 18th Ind. and 99th ILL.,,
commanded by Brighten. Benton, was moved
up to within 300 yards of the enemy's works
the evening of the 21st, and under the shelter
of an abrupt hill passed the night in cold COM
fort, with our muskets as bed fellows, with
empty stomachs and full cartridge-boxes, to
dream of the morrow and hope for the best.
Those of us who had been up sharpshooting all
OF the 21st until daylight of the odd, as was Co.
Z of the 33d Ill.,, knew something of what was
before us, and when another company came
and relieved us at dawn the morning of the
22d, SO that Co. e might lead the regiment in
the charge that day, the gallant Maj. Elliott
(our old Captain) said for us that he appreciated
the compliment, but many brave boy would
fall that day. A spirit of solemnity almost
massed out of view of the enemy. Men con-
gregated in little groups conversing in under
tones. Letters conveying a last farewell per-
haps to loved ones were hurriedly written,
messages and keepsakes were given to COM
rades by those who, through unaccountable
means, knew this was to be their last charge.
Yet they did not hesitate; and to my personal
knowledge their sad presentiment was verified
in almost every case. Officers, Outwardly
calm, but dreading the task before them, moved
aimlessly about anxiousy consulting their
timepieces. Aids from brigade headquarters
came and went, running the gauntlet in ex-
posed places, and lodging the shells that came
shrcking down the ravines, and as the hour of 10
drew nigh the four Colonels-Lippencott, ofthe
33d, Washburne of the 18th, Schenck of the
Sth and Baily of the 99th-held a consultation,
and, to see who should lead the brigade, cast
lots for position, which was won by Col. Baly
of the Goth; the 33d next, then the 18th and
sth. Our artillery, in the meantime, were
emptying their Undertook as fast as muscle
and powder could do it, and as the decisive
moment approached, it seemed as though their
eXertions were redoubled, and that the sui
pburous blast of fame and smoke and muir
derous roar would stitle and crush u.s. Men
sprang to their feet graspng their muskets
with grip Of iron. Officers frightened their
sword belts, and in quick, fiery words gave the
command to Fall I'M" In an instant the
that for three hours had spoken for freedom
and National unity were, for the first time,
silent; but the men forming Grants army
crouched with nerves of steel, ready to
SPRING UPON THEIR FOE:
Their full swinging gait, since they had filed
away from Miliken's Bend, had not been
checked They came as conquerors, and were
willing and anxious to try issues with their
enemy, even in his stronghold.
-, hot, f1,aE pr;o do ba1
Col. Baily-divested of coat and vest, and with
arms barred to the elbow-spring to the head
of his regiment, and the single word, " For
ward !" sent the hot blood tngling through
our VEINS and the hours of nervous anxiety of
waiting-the hardest part to bear in patience
was over. Aroundi the base of q hill and up
by the right flank, through narrow defilc,
until the crest is nearly reached, and there, as
they swung into line, not 100 yards away,
burst whitening,
sCoRCHING SHEET OF FLAME,
unmercifu in its intensity sent forth by men
desperate to the last degree, who had been
beaten and driven to cover, and who were fight
ing that they might live. Hundreds went
down. The gallant Baily fell grievously
wounded. The 9sth could go no further.
The 33d, charging up over the same ground,
Jared not even SO well, for as Elliott swung
Co. E into line the same fearful blast
struck and virtually annihlated US; for in that
days work, out of nearly So men there were
only seven or eight to report for duty the next
morning, and even some of these were bruised
and wounded. The balance of the regiment,
partially shielded by those in advance suffered
severely, however, and swinging to the left
was forced to take shelter under the brow of
the HILL The 18th and Sth coming up quickly
met much the same fate; some of them turned
to the right with scattering ones from the two
preceding regiments, and. with COl.Washburne,
Of the 1Sth found partial shelter in an angle
of their works, and there, with the missiles of
death raining around us, the hot sun pouring
down upon Us, amidst the wall of the wound
ed, the fierce yell of the victors, the incessant
roar of musketry, we kept them down in our
front; but we were in veritable living hell
Death stared us in the face if we remained or
attempted to get down. Some of our colors
were planted on the walls Of the fort. Wash
burne's ringing voice could be heard above the
din, shouting encouragement to us.
McClernand, away in the rear called loudly
on Grant for help. We knew it was madness
to send men there. Grant, as near to us as
McClcrnand, thought as much. The rebel rifle
pits to our left could fire upon u.s. and every
now and then some poor fellow would go down.
The terrors of that day made men grow old.
The appeal for help was answered. Boomers
Brigade attempted to reach us, but they could
get no nearer than 200 yards. Boomer himself
was killed. We then knew to stay longer was
useless, and SO, one by one, we stole away, rum
ming the gauntlet for life and liberty.
No one can describe that terrible day. Indi-
vidual deeds Of heroism would fill THE TRIB-
UNE for year. The lesson was bitter Grant
cannot be censured, only in that he erred in
judgment. His lines were too thin for gen.
eral assault A full corps driven with the ut
most rapidty at a single point without the
warning of artillery, could perhaps have sue
ceeded.-C. d. MORRIS, Co Z, 33d ILL.,, Column
bus, Kan.