The National tribune., 1885-03-12
FORT STEADMAN,

Comrade Tells the Story of that Famous Fight.
To THE EDITOR: In your issue of the 18th of
January Chas L. Paris, Co. G, 14th n. Y. II.
A, Owosso, Mich, wishes some comrade would
write an account of the capture of Fort Stead
man and its recapturc. The Richmond papers
had for several days been throwing out hints
that Lee was going to make movement that
would astonish the world. About 430 o'clock
On the morning of the 25th of March, 1865, we
were aroused by desultory shots fired in quick
succession Springing up, we caught our guns
and hurried out of our tents just as Col. Bintiif
shouted to the boys to turn out for Gods
sake" for we were attacked. In about three
minutes the regiment was in line of battle and
the shells from the enemy were dropping
thickly around us, while to the right, toward
Fort Steadman, was roar of artillery and a
clash of small-arms.
The brigade was soon under arms and ready
for any emergency. 1t was still thought to be
only picket fuSillade. Gen. Mclaughlin had
just gone down to see what was the matter
companied by his Aid, Lieut.. Sturgies, and they
were both captured. The rebels had turned
the Fort Steadman guns upon Fort Haskell,
and upon the retreatiDg men of the Third Bri-
gade. Their infantry were also pressing Fort
Haskell, and had advanced line from the rear
of that fort towards Mead's Station and threat
ened division headquarters, thus isolatiDg our
brigade from the division commander.
SOl. HARTMAN ScHt TWO OF his INC
3Sth Wis. and 109th n. Y, commanded by
Lieut-Col. Pier. of the 18th Wis, to take posi-
ton at right angles with the main line on the
crest of the hill, facing the captured fort The
brigade pioneers, a heroic little band of men,
worked with their might during the entire
action, throwing up line of breastworks at
this point running at right angles to our main
line, in order to protect the threatened TANKS
of the brigade. Gen. Parke commanding the
rIly in af
the Army Of the Potomac, sent to know what
disposition had been made of the First Brigade.
Col. Hartman replied that he had thrown two
regiments back at right angles with the main
line to protect the TANKS and shifted his troops
well TO the right. Gen. Parke returned word
that that was right, and to keep them in that
position until further orders. This proved
drawback TO the spirit of the men, who wanted
TO take few prisoners; but to charge would
leave Fort Morton uncovered, and once in pos
session of the enemy it would cost us dearly TO
retake il.
At daylight Gen. Hartranft brought up his
division of new troops at double-Guick. They
opened p whitening fire upon the advanced line
of rebels, and soon drove them out of the old
earthworks behind which they were posted and
occupied them. From this position he opened
fire on the main line. This, with laundering
volleys of cannon and musketry from the en-
brasures and parapet of Fort Haskell on the
left, and within so rods of them, and Fort
McGlivery on the right, within easy range,
together with the showers of shot and shell
from the forts and batteries surrounding
Fort Steadman, made il too warm for the
four divisions cooped up in SO small COM
pass. They could also see column after column
of troops marching TO the support of Gen.
Hartranft's line and flanking line of breast
works at the only weak point in their front
being thrown up and occupied by the right
wing Of Col. Harrimon's Brigade, they now
gave it up as hopeless. They commenced to
draw back their reserves while the advanced
guards kept bold front Our batteries on the
left now aided Fort Haskell in sweeping the
field between the works, and the scene here
was terrible. The rebels were mown down in
swaths. Our musketry had told heavily on
them while hemmed in by the walls of Fort
Steadman, but here we strewed the field with
their dead and dying. Gen. Hartranft could
wait no longer for orders or re-eniorcements,
but led his division in brilliant charge They
came down upon the frightened rebels like an
avalanche The second brigade of this division
also moved up rapidly on the right. At the
approach OF our men the rebels threw down
their guns by hundreds and surrendered. Our
two divisions made short work Of the capture
of 300 prisoners.
By 8 o'clock a. m. the battle was over and all
was quiet. Under flag of truce the rebels
asked for leave to bury their dead, which was
granted. Many Of their wounded got back to
their own lines. A fair estimate of their losses
in the action will reach $500. Among the
captured were three brigade commanders We
lost a part of the garrison of Fort Steadman, $50
of the 14th n. Y. II. A., and part of each of
the 18th and 57th Mass. The casualties in our
brigade were five wounded Our total loss will
probably foot up between 500 and 600. Capt.
Swords Of Gen Wilcoxs staff, was taken pris-
oner. Gen. Deyens, commanding one of Gen.
Hartrsnft's brigades, was wounded. Our
troops did spiendidly. I never saw men in
better condition or more eager to fight. And
thus ended a battle which, considering its
short duration and the numbers engaged, was
probably as disastrous to the enemy as any bat
tie of the war.-N. j. MARBLE, Co. K, 3Sth
Wis, Friendship, Wis.