Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-02
THE SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS: SUNDAY, MARCH 2 1884.

ments passed our comprehension. 1t
seemed impossible for us to prepare
surprise of any kind. They were always
ready to receive-and to repulse us.
We were fortunate in having no hostile
force wandering around our rear: The
country back of us was free and unOccu-
pied, except by ourselves and the planta-
lions whose occupants had become recon-
ciled to the presence of Union troops.
Among these was the well known Battle
ley plantation, one of the largest In East
Feliclana parish. The house was one Of
those large, lOw-rOOfed residences in the
South. with its wealth OF verandas and
pOrches, located in the midst of great
lawn, ami almost hid from sight by the
tall trees that gave it an abundance OF
delightful shade. Its hospitality was
gradually opened to our officers, and be-
fore the slege-Which in time became al
most lnsuherably tiresOme TO our men
had progressed very far,i was no unusual
sight TO see several Union officers visit the
mansion to pay their respects to the
ladies', who were the sole occupants, the
men being away in the Confederate ser
vice. The family consisted OF three
Mrs. Batheley, lady of about 80 years
of age, tai, dignitied and matronly, and
her twO daughters. The elder was Miss
Alice, who fell into our hands while she
was returning home from Clinton with
Capt. Latlmer, and who was subsequently
released by Gen. Sherman. She affected
to nave forgotten the unpleasant features
OF. her capture, and received the Union
officers at her home with all the charming
grace which characteriZes the Southern
woman. She was a tall brunette, with
eyes of almost fiery brightness, lips ex-
pressiVe OF resolution, and a smile which,
though beautiful, was too dignitied to be
a RlnEn OhEaTEnT
aud sharp, shrewd, questIOner. Her
sister Blanche was a soft, petite blonde,
very unlike Miss Alice, but great favor
lite.
The prominent officers Uere not only
welcomed to the Batheley mansion, but
were always invited to call again. In
deed, it became no uncommon sight to
see the two sisters riding in company
with I'm ted States officers through the
camps. Miss Alice became as much in
terested in the weapons of war as any Of
our men. New work or batteries always
received her attention, and she was such
a delightful and appreciatlve listener that
many of the officers often took pleasure
in explaining TO her various things in
which ordinary women would take no con-
Germ. We knew, of course, that they had
Southern feelings and sympathies, but they
were helpless and unable to do us any
harm, and it would have been shame for
us to have treated them otherwise than in
Il most courteous and gentlemanly man
ner. Even guard was placed around
the house to protect the ladies flOm IN
truders and marauders. In fact. some Of
the boys called them the mother and
daughter of tine regiment.
We made very slow progress in our
campaign. Repeatedly we tried to storm
one of the angles of the Notifications,
until it seemed as if guardian angel
was always there to notify the COnfeder-
ate commander when and where to mass
his troops.
Alter number of resultless attempts
Gen. Banks determined TO carry the work
by coup de main. With that in view he
called for a volunteer force of 1000 men
from his whole army to lead last attack
upon the fort. We had met with so many
reVerses that the recruiting process was
tedious beyond any expectation. The
men were too chary of danger to volun-
tarily offer themselves as victims to the
enemy's guns. AT the end OF the first
week the roll did not muster 800 men. The
second and third weeks scarcely raised
this number TO 400. But that force was
deemed sufficient to lead division by
night assault. Col. Berbridge, OF Con-
necticut, volunteered to command the
forces, and all arrangements were made
tor a last and determined attack. The
400 men were divided into two sections
and each placed under the bravest and
most resolute officers. Notification was
! given early in the morning that the dash
| would be made that night
The brave tour hundred spent the most
of the day writing letters to the dear ones
! at home, their sWeetneaTts and friends.
! describing the dangers before them. and
me probabilities If falling in the fight.
| And in case they should be killed, they
| begged to be remembered as having died
! in the service of their country with their
/ faces bravely to the enemy. They wrote
| these words, prompted by no idle senti-
that tho pssebt'o work would emu UnelI mil
! ltary career. They knew the bravery and
/ auddcity of the COnfederates, and, with
! fearful odds against them, they appre-
hended the worst.
! The supper that night was a deeply Sc
! fiOus affair. 1t was looked upon by four
! hundred daring men as their last meal on
! earth, and the impressive silence in which
! they ate told wildly the wrOught-up state
/ of their feelings. The plans Of the at
| tack were all arranged. The four hun
! dred-known as the 'FOrlOrn Hope Par
| TWAS to lead, with ladders and ropes
! TO scale the walls; then d brigade of in
! fantry, with some engineers to tear down
| the paTapets; then another brigade, to-
| gether with Mines and the Vermont Gray
| Horse Batteries. The signal Of the as.
sault was to be the bugle sound of "gOod
| night" at O'clock, which, being heard
! every night in the camp, would arose nc
suspicion on the part of the Conteder'
! dtes. At $3.50 the tattoo sounded. The
! men took their places for the advance; the
| forces We're drawn up, eager to proceed,
! so as TO end the anxiety that was burden
ing their minds; the time slipped slowly
| away, and a few minutes more would
! send the boys to costly victory or u
| costly defeat; every heart was beating
| for the sound of the signal. But, thank
heaNens it never came. Just before
! 3 O'Clock orders passed along the lines fol
us to regain our former positions.
Nv hat is the matter?' asked hundreds
| of men of one another. No one could am
swer. The mystery was not solved until
| the next day.