The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-05-15
The I'd Connecticut at Geld Harbor.
n the Editor NATIONAL TRTRrrxE.

In regard to the charge at Cold Harbor, in
which members OF the Sd division, 9th corps,
participated, wonld say that the ID brigade.
LIST division, had hand in that charge. The
I'd brigade composed of the following regi-
ments: l21st and Goth New York, 95th Penn
sylvania volunteers, 9Th Maine and I'd Connee-
tieut heavy artillery, commanded by Colonel
Upton Ny regiment, the % Connecticut was
formed in three battalions about 3 p Ia. June
l. 1864, preparatory 10 charge, which had
been ordered TO take place at 5 O'Clock In
front Of Us were few pine and chestnut trees,
and protected on the front by a curved line of
breastworks, which had been probably thrown
up during McCielan's campaign, two years be-
FORE At O'Clock. Or perhaps little later, the
order came. and away we went with a yell
through the scattering woods, crossed the open
field at doubie-guick, and entered another pine
wood of thicker growth, where we came upon
the first line of rebel rifie-pits which were
abandoned at our approach. After passing this
line we went up to within fifteen or twenty
yards of their main line of works where they
had a strong abatis in front. Up TO this point
there had been no firing sufficient to check the
battalions but here the rebel mu sketry opened.
The commander of the rebel battalion. who
ever he was, had his men under excellent con-
troll, and his fire was held until we reached the
/ abatis, and delivered first by his rear rank
! then by his front rank sheet of fame sud
| along the rebel breastworks, and lhe regiment
4 dropped fat on the ground The bullets nearly
/ all went over us as did the second volley. It
! is more than probable that if there had been no
/ other but this front fire the breastworks would
1 have been ours, Notwithstanding the pine
! boughs. But at that time long line of rebels
/ on orr left, extending all the way to the Rich
mond road, having nothing in their front to
engage their attention, opened fire upon US
which no human yal0r could Withstand, and
/ no pen can adequately describe. After short
| time there was lull in the firing when we
charged and took the works and between three
and four hundred prisoners. Our colonel KEEL
/ logg) being killed, Major Hubbard sent word
| to Colonel Upton that If the rebels came back
he could not possibly hold the line. The re-
! ply came, You must hold it; if they come
| there catch them on your bayonets and pitch
| them over your heads" The line was held,
| and it remained our front line till midnight of
| June u, when we moved out on the road to
White House Landing. Our regiment lost on
the 1st Of June ia killed, 17s wounded and
fifteen missing.
Now, in regard to the Sd division capturing
between three and four hundred prisoners.
will not dispute it. The prisoners we captured
went back TO the rear, and portion of the Sd
division 9th n. Y went into the fight on the
right of MS, and they broke and ran through our
lst battalion when we were charging and were
i III q convenient posiClon 10 put guard over
our prisoners and march them To headquarters
and in due time, General Meade issued an
order complimenting them for capturing those
prisoners. Colonel Upton, who saw the whole
Of it, said ii should be rect fed aud the credit
given TO the % Connecticut, but it never was
Now, you ID brigade, 1st division, 9th corps
boys, let's hear from you.
D. A. BRADLEY,
Serg't, Co. D, Cd c. v. d.
Tuo5 sTog CoNN